7 Warning Signs You Need a Root Canal

Tooth pain can start small, then suddenly become something serious. You might feel a dull ache, then one day it turns sharp and constant. Many people ignore it, hoping it will go away, but it often gets worse. In some cases, the problem lies deep inside the tooth and needs a root canal. Acting early can save your tooth and stop the pain from spreading. In this article, we explain all the important signs you need a root canal.

Persistent Pain

You may feel sharp pain or a deep ache in your tooth. The pain can come and go or stay all day. You may feel it in your jaw or ear as well. This pain means the inside of your tooth may be infected or damaged. Normal pain from biting or chewing goes away. This pain stays even when you do nothing. It is a warning that something inside the tooth needs treatment.

Sensitivity to Heat and Cold

Another strong sign is feeling sharp pain from hot or cold drinks or food. The pain stays after the heat or cold goes away. This means the nerves inside your tooth may be infected. This kind of reaction is not normal. Healthy teeth do not hurt from normal temperature changes. If your tooth stays sore after eating hot soup or ice cream, that is one of the signs you need a root canal.

Tooth Discoloration

A tooth that turns dark or gray shows deep damage. This happens when the inside part of the tooth dies. This damage can come from a fall, a hit, or untreated decay. If one tooth looks darker than the others, this is not just a stain. It is a sign of a dead or dying tooth. This is one of the common signs you need a root canal in Phoenix.

Swollen gums

Swelling around one tooth often means there is a problem below the surface. Your gums may look red, puffy, or sore. This is one of the signs you need a root canal because infection inside the tooth can spread to the gums. Sometimes the swelling goes away for a while but comes back later. This shows the problem did not heal. The infection stays trapped inside and causes the gum to swell again. Early treatment can stop the spread.

Persistent Bad Breath

Persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away, even after brushing, can be a sign of a deeper problem. It may mean there is an infection inside your tooth. When a tooth becomes infected, bacteria can build up and cause a strong, bad smell. This kind of bad breath won’t go away with mouthwash or gum. It often comes with other signs, like pain or swelling. If your breath smells bad all the time, and nothing helps, it could be one of the signs you need a root canal.

A Chipped or Cracked Tooth

A break in your tooth allows germs to get inside. Even a small crack can cause big problems if left untreated. A chipped or cracked tooth may not hurt right away, but damage inside the tooth can grow fast. If you see or feel a break, it is one of the signs you need a root canal. A broken tooth can lead to infection, pain, and nerve damage, so early care is important to save the tooth.

Bumps on the Gums

Sometimes, you may see a small bump near your tooth. It looks like a pimple but does not go away. This bump is filled with pus from an infected tooth. It often comes with a bad taste or smell in the mouth. This is one of the clear signs you need a root canal. These bumps mean the tooth infection is trying to drain through your gums. This is not normal and shows the tooth is very sick. You need dental care right away.

Let’s Recap

You can avoid tooth loss by knowing the early signs you need a root canal. Pain, swelling, and color changes all show that something is wrong. If you wait too long, the damage can spread, and the tooth may need removal. At Atrium Dental in Phoenix, we use the latest tools and gentle care to treat root canals the right way. Your comfort and health come first.

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