If Your Tooth Stops Hurting, Why Get a Root Canal?

A root canal is often the best solution for a severe toothache. After all, the treatment could quickly fix your aching chomper! However, you may be tempted to reconsider if your tooth stops hurting. Surely the lack of pain means there’s no problem, right? In reality, though, you may still need a root canal in that situation. Your Fort Worth dentist even has the evidence to prove this claim. Read on, then, to learn why you’d need root canal therapy when your toothache is already gone.

“No Toothache” Doesn’t Mean “No Problem”

As you might know, a root canal is needed when your tooth’s pulp is infected. This infection often irritates your pearly white’s nerves, causing significant pain and soreness.

That said, a disappeared toothache doesn’t mean everything is fine. The infection may have “killed” your tooth’s nerve, leaving it unable to send pain signals to your brain. Alternatively, pus may have flowed from the infected area and reduced pressure on it. Either way, there’s a good chance that harmful bacteria are still advancing and causing problems.

Other Signs You Need a Root Canal

Of course, a toothache isn’t the only symptom of a tooth infection. Other signs could also point to your pulp being infected. Therefore, keep watch for the following conditions:

• Swollen Gums
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Facial Swelling
• Bad Breath
• Swollen Lymph Nodes
• Persistent Fever

If you display several of these items, contact your local dentist at once. Whether you have an infected tooth or not, such symptoms deserve a professional diagnosis.

The Risks of Skipping a Root Canal

Even if it isn’t causing a toothache, an infected tooth is no laughing matter. You should get a root canal for it to avoid complications.

For starters, skipping the therapy can lead to tooth loss. A dental infection, you see, slowly erodes the bone tissue supporting your chomper. Over time, this process will loosen your pearly white until it falls out.

Worse yet, delaying treatment allows the infection to spread. Should its bacteria reach other areas, they might trigger sepsis – a life-threatening condition that affects your whole body.

Ultimately, you could still be in trouble even if your tooth stops hurting. Therefore, book a visit to your dentist today – doing so just might save your smile!

About the Practice

Harris Parkway Dental Care offers excellent and passionate dental services for Fort Worth, TX and the surrounding communities. With their expert team of dental hygienists, they provide a wide collection of treatments, from dental checkups to emergency care. If you want to know more about your dental hygienist, visit our website or call us at 817-423-2223.