If you’re like most people, the main reason you’d get a root canal is to ease your toothache. Why bother with this treatment unless it relieves your sore mouth? However, you may still need a root canal even if your tooth stops hurting; the procedure has uses aside from pain relief. Your New Lenox dentist will even explain the details behind this claim. So, here’s why a root canal could be necessary when you aren’t in pain.
Pain Isn’t Everything
A root canal can certainly ease many bad toothaches. However, that doesn’t mean the procedure’s main role is pain relief.
Root canals are designed and intended to remove your tooth’s infected pulp. While the latter can irritate dental nerves and cause aches, it doesn’t always do so. Sometimes, an infection will “kill” such nerves and leave your tooth unable to send pain signals to the brain. Pus from the infected area could also flow out and ease some of the nearby pressure. In either case, the lack of pain isn’t a sign that things are improving; bacteria would still be advancing and causing problems.
Consider Other Treatable Symptoms
At the same time, a root canal can help with symptoms of tooth infection besides pain. Treatment would be able to ease or reduce signs like:
- Sensitive Teeth
- Swollen Gums
- Facial Swelling
- Halitosis (i.e., Bad Breath)
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
- A Persistent Fever
Should you notice the symptoms above, you should see a dentist quickly. These signs deserve a diagnosis, regardless of whether you get a root canal or not.
Avoid a Spreading Infection
Even when it doesn’t involve pain, a tooth infection is a severe problem. Failing to treat it with a root canal would only worsen your situation.
Indeed, the infection would do more than cause pain if left alone. It’ll slowly erode nearby gum and bone tissue as it goes unchecked and cause your tooth to fall out. (After all, pearly whites can’t stay in place if they lack support from your jaw and gums.) The infecting bacteria could then reach other body parts and trigger sepsis – a condition that can lead to death.
Given the points above, you may need a root canal even when a tooth stops hurting. See your dentist as soon as possible to find out for sure!
About the Practice
Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox is based in New Lenox, IL. Led by Drs. Albert, Snow, and Feller, our practice offers truly stellar dental care. We always tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to your smile’s specific needs! To that extent, our team is always ready and able to make your grin strong and gorgeous. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (815)-462-9990.