Knowing for sure if you need a root canal is something a dentist or an endodontist will need to diagnose for you.
However, here are 12 major root canal signs and symptoms.
- Extreme toothache when eating or applying any type of pressure in the area of the tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot and/or cold food or drinks. Sensitivity may continue even when the hot or cold is no longer near the tooth.
- Darkening or discoloration around the tooth.
- Inflammation or sensitivity of gums near the tooth.
- A regular or reoccurring pimple/abscess on the gums. Sometimes this will leak pus or fluid.
- Increasing pain, aching and throbbing in the area around the tooth. Sometimes this pain is exacerbated upon bending or lying down.
- A bad taste in your mouth that does not go away after brushing and flossing.
- Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep due to tooth pain.
- Requiring over the counter pain relief to help alleviate the symptoms.
- Pain radiating to other areas of your mouth, jaw, ears and/or head.
- Tooth pain that does not appear to have a trigger.
- Toothache that persists intermittently for 10 seconds or longer.
Determining the need for a root canal can be determined by a simple, painless x-ray and examination. If you are in the Richmond, Virginia area you can make an appointment with East Coast Endodontics to better understand what, if any, treatment is best for you