Root canal therapy is just one of the many treatments performed by your Guelph, ON, dentist, Dr. Dominic Lau of Eramosa Dental. Do you know why root canals are performed?
Why root canals are important for your health
Root canals are needed when the pulp inside your tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The pulp is a soft collection of blood vessels, tissues, and nerves located under the harder dentin and enamel layers of your tooth. Although the pulp is well-protected, inflammation or infection can occur due to tooth trauma, extensive tooth decay, cracks, or repeated dental procedures.
During a root canal, the pulp is removed, the tooth and root canals are then cleaned and shaped, and the tooth is filled. Finally, a crown is needed to cover the treated tooth to strengthen and protect it.
Root canal treatment ends your pain and eliminates the source of the infection or inflammation. If you didn't receive a root canal, you would eventually lose your tooth. In the meantime, you would probably experience severe pain and might develop an abscess, a bacterial infection that could spread throughout your body. Root canal therapy saves your tooth, protects your health, and preserves your ability to chew and bite.
How can I tell if I need a root canal?
Although you'll need to visit the Guelph, ON, dental office for a definite diagnosis, you may need a root if you have any of these signs and symptoms:
- Pain that increases when chewing, pressing on the tooth, eating or drinking hot, cold, or sugary foods and beverages.
- Darkening of the tooth
- Sore, inflamed gums
- Recent injury to a tooth
- Abscess symptoms, which may include facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes, pus on your gum, fever, and severe pain. Abscesses are dental emergencies
If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to call the dental office right away. In addition to root canal therapy, you'll need to take antibiotics to kill the bacteria responsible for any infection.
Root canals help you protect your health. Call your dentist in Guelph, ON, Dr. Lau of Eramosa Dental, at (519) 821-4370 if you're concerned about a tooth.