Could your toothache be trying to tell you that you require root canal therapy?

What is a root canal? Why is my tooth hurting so much? Do I need to visit a dentist if I’m dealing with a toothache? These are just some of the most frequent questions our Westfield, IN, dentists Drs. Kenneth and Katie Krause hear. Find out more about root canal treatment, why it’s performed and when dental problems may be trying to tell you that you need to seek care.

What is a root canal?

This endodontic procedure is performed when a tooth’s dental pulp is damaged or infected. The dental pulp lies inside the tooth underneath the hard enamel and dentin layers. The pulp consists of connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels. While this structure is important for the development of the tooth, once the tooth has fully matured the dental pulp is no longer necessary for the tooth to remain healthy and strong.

Of course, if decay, direct trauma or an infection sets in and isn’t caught right away it can continue to spread until it reaches the dental pulp. As a result, the dental pulp becomes infected or inflamed. Once this happens the only option is to have the pulp removed in order to preserve the rest of the tooth.

Besides removing the pulp, our Westfield, IN, general dentists will also disinfect the inside of the tooth to remove any bacteria or pus that is present. Furthermore, we will also fill the root canals with a special material to prevent an infection from occurring in the future.

What are the symptoms of a damaged dental pulp?

If you are experiencing any of these issues it’s time to schedule a visit with us right away, as you could require root canal treatment:

• A toothache
• Pain that gets worse when chewing or biting down on the tooth
• Sudden tooth sensitivity (to hot or cold temperature)
• Swelling or tenderness in the gums around the tooth
• A pimple-like growth on the gums (known as an abscess)

What happens if I don’t get a root canal?

Once the dental pulp is inflamed or infected it needs to be removed to prevent bacteria from growing within the tooth. The sooner we treat the tooth the better. If you don’t seek care, this infection can lead to bone and tooth loss.

Don’t let dental problems get the better of your smile. Here at Krause Dental in Westfield, IN, we pride ourselves on providing expert and immediate dental care when you need it most. Call us right away if you are experiencing any dental symptoms.