If your dentist tells you that root canal therapy is necessary, it may be hard to believe at first.

After all, root canals are fairly common procedures; many people have had one without knowing what was really going on in their mouths. In this article, we’ll discuss root canal symptoms and the root canal process so you can make more informed decisions about whether root canal treatment is right for you or not.

What exactly Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is the dental procedure that removes decay from your tooth’s pulp and root.

For those of us who need more visual explanations, think about the roots of teeth as tree stumps sticking out from your gums. Imagine there are little bugs living in there (okay maybe that’s gross). Instead of chopping off the wood and leaving a gaping hole in the middle.

What causes root canals?

Your teeth are made of two parts: the crown (the visible part) and root that extends deep into your jawbone. When you eat or drink cold things like ice cream, hot coffee or soda pop it creates pressure against your molars which increases pressure within your mouth. That’s when decay starts building up under your gums. The bacteria feeds off sugars found within our food – they produce acids as waste products which then attack the tooth, weakening it.

What are the common root canal symptoms?

If you are experiencing root canal symptoms, a root canal treatment might be necessary. But if the pain has recently started and there is no known cause such as an injury or dental work, then it is probably not a root canal. You can experience root canal symptoms from a variety of tooth problems.

The most common signs of a root canal include:

Persistent pain

If you’re experiencing pain when you are biting or chewing, then it is likely that root canal treatment will be needed. Your dentist may take an x-ray to further assess the problem and root canal treatment can usually be completed on the same day.

Pain in back molar teeth

If your toothache is caused by a root canal infection , chances are you’ll notice pain that is more intense than what would usually be expected with dental problems. With root canal infections, the pain tends to get worse over time as the infection spreads through the root and toward your jawbone . The pain from a root canal infection may come and go, but never completely disappears until it’s been treated by root canal surgery .

Sensitivity to cold and hot

If your tooth hurts when you eat or drink something hot or cold, this can be a sign of root canal infection. A root canal is required to eliminate the pain and sensitivity, but you should see your dentist right away if you notice these symptoms.

Swollen gums

Swollen gums around the area of a painful tooth root is another indicator root canal surgery may be needed. The gums may bleed easily, ache and even move away from the tooth slightly when your dentist probes the area for tender spots.

If you notice these symptoms it’s important to visit a dentist right away. If root canal treatment isn’t started as soon as possible, infection can spread into surrounding tissues and teeth causing pain and swelling that won’t go away until root canal surgery has been performed.

Root canals are among the most painful dental procedures available . But if root or jaw pain extends to other areas of your body — such as your limbs — this could signal an infection somewhere in your mouth besides the root of your tooth.

A chipped or cracked tooth

If you’ve cracked a tooth either from chewing something hard or by accident , root canal treatment is probably your best bet. Even a small crack can allow bacteria into the tooth, so root canal surgery to remove any infection is in order.

Every time you hit your mouth against something you have an opportunity for bacteria to get inside and cause further damage

Tooth discolouration

An infection in the pulp of your tooth , which is home to blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, can spread through the root and into surrounding structures like gums, jawbone and sinus cavities.

If root canal treatment isn’t started right away, an infected root may become darkened or blackened over time. This happens as bacteria in the pulp begin to break down tissue. Once this has happened, root canal surgery will not work and more invasive treatment will be required.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is recommended to visit your dentist and seek advice as soon as possible to see if a root canal is required or if it is something else.

What happens during root canal?

The procedure starts with numbing your whole jaw to reduce discomfort and any risk of pain throughout the procedure. Depending on where your infection is located in the tooth, our dentist will drill out some of your decayed tissue to expose the nerve roots at each tooth’s center (where they meet). Then he removes them by scraping across their hard exterior covering until

What does a root canal procedure involve?

The root canal procedure itself takes one to three hours.

During the root canal, your dentist will numb your mouth and remove all decay from the root canals including any infected tissue. They’ll then clean out everything so it’s as hygienic as possible, and fill in the root canals using a special kind of dental filling that hardens within your tooth.

The whole treatment is painless and you’ll be given local anaesthetic before being sedated so you don’t feel anything.

You won’t even have to sit in the chair for long – some root canals take just 45 minutes but most are finished by an hour or two at most .

What should I do once my root canal treatment is completed?

Once you’ve had your root canal treatment, regularly check the area where work was done to make sure everything feels normal. If it doesn’t or if there’s any pain when eating food, then see your dentist straight away .

Plus, it’s a good idea to take extra care with this tooth until you know for certain that root canals don’t cause problems in the future . It may hurt more than usual for around a week after root canal treatment and you may find chewing or even kissing difficult until root canals have healed completely

Be careful not to knock or bump the area as this could re-open the root canal and allow bacteria inside. And avoid sugar while root canals are healing – this includes fruit juice and any obviously sugary foods that might possibly get stuck in your teeth.

Root canal treatment is usually painless, so it is recommended that if you feel you need the treatment it is best to consult with your dentist at Bright Smiles Dentistry for an initial examination and they can provide the best advice.