Dr. Zak Taylor & Dr. Stehen Orr

Dentists

Let’s be real: no one wakes up in the morning and thinks, “You know what sounds fun today? A root canal!”

Root canals have gotten a pretty bad reputation over the years, but they’re actually designed to do something pretty great — save your natural tooth and get you OUT of pain.

When the soft tissue inside your tooth, called the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected, it can cause some pretty uncomfortable symptoms. A root canal removes the infected tissue, cleans and seals the inside of the tooth, and allows you to keep your natural tooth instead of losing it.

So, how do you know when that toothache might be more than just a toothache? Here are 5 signs it may be time to call your dentist.

1. A Toothache That Just Won’t Quit

We’re not talking about the little “ouch” you get when you bite into something the wrong way.

Pain that is persistent, throbbing, keeps coming back, or seems to be getting worse could mean there’s inflammation or infection inside the tooth.

You may notice pain when chewing, biting down, or even when you’re doing absolutely nothing. And because teeth apparently have impeccable timing, it may decide to hurt the most when you’re trying to sleep.

Not every toothache means you need a root canal, but persistent pain definitely deserves a dental exam.

2. Hot or Cold Sensitivity That Lingers

A little sensitivity after a sip of ice water? Pretty common.

But if you take a drink of hot coffee or eat something cold and your tooth continues hurting long after the food or drink is gone, your tooth may be trying to tell you something.

Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold can sometimes indicate that the nerve inside the tooth is irritated or damaged.

Basically, if your tooth is still mad about that sip of coffee several minutes later, it may be holding a grudge worth checking out.

3. Your Gums Are Swollen or Tender Around One Tooth

Swelling or tenderness in the gums near a painful tooth can be another sign of infection.

You may notice a small bump on the gum that looks a little like a pimple. This is sometimes called a gum boil or dental abscess, and it can occur when an infection from the tooth drains through the surrounding gum tissue.

Even if the bump comes and goes — or suddenly stops hurting — that doesn’t necessarily mean the problem has disappeared.

Dental infections are unfortunately not known for politely packing their bags and leaving on their own.

4. Your Tooth Is Getting Darker

Notice one tooth looking gray, brown, or darker than the teeth around it?

A change in tooth color can sometimes happen when the pulp inside the tooth has been damaged, especially following an injury.

And here’s the tricky part: the injury may have happened a long time ago.

Maybe you took a basketball to the face years ago, fell off your bike as a kid, or had some other accident you barely remember. Trauma to a tooth can damage its nerve, and symptoms may not always appear immediately.

A darkening tooth doesn’t automatically mean you need a root canal, but it’s definitely something your dentist should evaluate.

5. You Chipped or Cracked a Tooth

Cracks and chips aren’t just cosmetic concerns.

A crack can sometimes create a pathway for bacteria to reach the inner portion of the tooth. If the pulp becomes infected or damaged, root canal treatment may be necessary to save it.

Some cracks are easy to see, while others can be sneaky. You may only notice sharp pain when biting or releasing your bite, sensitivity, or discomfort that seems to come and go.

If something feels “off” when you chew, don’t ignore it.

Your tooth probably isn’t being dramatic. (Probably.)

So… Does Having One of These Signs Mean I Definitely Need a Root Canal?

Nope!

Tooth pain, sensitivity, swelling, and other symptoms can have several different causes. A cavity, gum problems, a cracked tooth, bite issues, or other dental conditions can cause similar symptoms.

That’s why Googling “Why does my tooth hurt?” at 2 a.m. can only get you so far.

The only way to know what’s actually happening is to have the tooth evaluated. Your dentist may perform an exam, take X-rays, and test the tooth to determine whether the nerve is healthy and what treatment — if any — is needed.

And sometimes, catching the problem early can mean more treatment options.

Wait… What Actually Happens During a Root Canal?

Despite their reputation, modern root canal treatment is much less dramatic than most people imagine.

During treatment, the tooth is numbed to keep you comfortable. The damaged or infected tissue inside the tooth is removed, the area is carefully cleaned and disinfected, and the tooth is sealed.

Depending on the tooth and how much structure remains, a crown may be recommended afterward to help protect and strengthen it.

The goal isn’t to cause pain — the goal is to eliminate the source of your pain and save your tooth.

So maybe it’s finally time we stop making the root canal the villain of the dental world.

Don’t Wait Until Your Tooth Is Screaming at You

Dental problems tend to have one annoying habit: they rarely get cheaper or easier when we ignore them.

If you have a tooth that has been hurting, feels unusually sensitive, looks different, or just doesn’t feel right, it’s worth having it checked.

At Elevation Dentistry in Murray, Kentucky, our team can evaluate your tooth, determine what may be causing your symptoms, and talk with you about your treatment options.

Because sometimes your tooth really is just being sensitive…

…and sometimes it’s sending you an SOS.

Having tooth pain? Give Elevation Dentistry a call to schedule an appointment and let’s figure out what’s going on.

This blog is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for an examination or diagnosis by a dental professional. Facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or rapidly worsening symptoms may require urgent medical or dental attention.