Diagnostics are best left to the professionals, but there are some clear signs that a root canal may be in your future.

Dr. Ben Peterson and our team at High Desert Dental in Ontario, Oregon expertly examine your teeth and gums at every visit, inspecting them closely for signs of disease and decay. We also use X-rays to get a glimpse of your inner tooth. If we detect an infection in the pulp of your tooth, a root canal is the best way to clean out the decay and save the tooth.

We rely on our years of education and experience and advanced technology to help us reach an accurate diagnosis, but there are some telltale signs that a root canal is necessary. Here are a few symptoms to watch for.

Pain

Tooth pain can stem from several oral conditions, and not all require a root canal. However, when the inner pulp of your tooth is infected, pain behaves in a particular way, such as:

• Increasing when you chew or bite
• Persistency
• Throbbing
• Intermittent pain
• Sensitivity to heat and cold

Tooth pain rarely resolves on its own, so it’s best to come in for an exam to find out what’s happening. If an infection is present, a root canal can clear it away and enable you to keep your tooth. 

Dr. Peterson makes a small hole in the crown of your tooth and removes the nerves and blood vessels inside. Your tooth remains fully functional, as it doesn’t need those nerves once it’s developed.

Damage

Damage teeth no longer enjoy the protection of intact enamel. The hard outer shell of your teeth keeps bacteria at bay, but once you crack or chip a tooth, pathogens can enter through the breach and infect your tooth. Untreated tooth damage may lead to the need for a root canal.

Swollen gums

Swollen gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, or aggressive brushing and flossing. However, they may also indicate the presence of an inner tooth infection that requires professional treatment, including a root canal.

Gum bumps

Bumps on your gums that look like pimples are called abscesses, and they may indicate a serious infection in your tooth. Abscesses form when pus accumulates under the gum tissue near the tooth root. 

Abscesses can be extremely painful, and they sometimes ooze. They may also spread to your lymph system, causing facial swelling and fever. Antibiotics can resolve the gum infection, but you may still need a root canal to clean the tooth.

Dark tooth

When food and drinks stain your teeth, they generally affect all your teeth equally. If you have one tooth that has turned gray or black, it indicates an internal infection and decay.

If you notice any of these symptoms, call us or go online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Peterson for a complete exam. The sooner you get a root canal, the better your chances of saving your tooth.