Are you wondering what your nagging toothache is trying to tell you?
While it isn’t always possible to be able to tell exactly what dental procedure or restorative treatment you’ll need, that’s one job that you can leave to our Sequim, WA dentist, Dr. Richard Zbaraschuk. Sure, we know the idea of getting a root canal doesn’t sound like a day at the beach, but it’s an easy and common procedure that could just end up saving your tooth.
What is a root canal?
While you may only think of the hard outer layers of enamel when you think of a tooth, a tooth has so many more components. Under all those hard outer layers lies a structure known as the dental pulp.
The pulp is necessary for the development of a tooth; however, once the tooth has fully matured the pulp is no longer a vital structure to the health of the tooth. The pulp consists of connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed the only option is to have it removed. During a root canal, our Sequim general dentist will not only remove the pulp but also clean out the inside of the tooth to remove pus, bacteria or debris before filling the root canals to prevent reinfection.
What are the signs that a root canal may help me?
While everyone experiences different symptoms and levels of intensity, the most common sign that you may need a root canal is dental pain. The toothache you experience may be mild or severe. It may ache, throb or feel like a stabbing pain. It may be persistent and keep you up at night or it might only be a minor nuisance. Either way, the minute you notice a toothache it’s time to get a dental evaluation. This is considered a dental emergency.
Other signs that a root canal may be on the horizon include:
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Sensitivity to hot or cold in the affected tooth
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Swollen or sore gums surrounding the tooth
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The formation of an abscess (a pimple-like bump) on the gums near the tooth
If there are any changes in your smile or suspicious signs that there might be a problem it’s a good idea to call Zbaraschuk Dental Care, PS in Sequim, WA right away. Let us know what symptoms you are experiencing and we will determine whether you need to come into our office immediately. Don’t put this call off.