Is your mouth trying to tell you that you may need to get a root canal?
No one wants to hear from their Rio Grande, NJ dentist Dr. William Panico that they need a root canal. In fact, we hate having to tell our 
patients this. If you are dealing with certain changes to your oral health that concern you, find out if any of these symptoms could be trying to tell you that a root canal is in your near future.
Trying to figure out if you need root canal therapy can be a difficult task to do on your own, which is why you should see our Rio Grande, NJ general dentist every six months or if you start to notice symptoms of a problem.
In fact, there are many warning signs that a tooth isn’t healthy and may require a root canal. Even though we are the only ones who can properly determine whether you will need this treatment or not, if you start to notice any of these symptoms then you need to call us right away:
- Tooth sensitivity (particularly to hot or cold foods/drinks)
- Dental pain (it may be a persistent or intermittent ache)
- Tooth pain that occurs while chewing
- Swelling or inflammation of the gums
- Discolorations or darkening of a tooth
When you come in for treatment we will talk to you about the symptoms you are experiencing and how long they’ve been going on. Then we will examine your smile to check for any signs that you may have an infection.
What is the purpose of a root canal?
A root canal is designed to treat an infection that has reached the inside structure of the tooth, known as the pulp. A root canal is also required if the dental pulp has become inflamed due to trauma or injury. During a root canal, we will remove the diseased or damaged tissue to prevent the problem from progressing so severely that the tooth has to be removed. The goal of root canal treatment is to actually preserve as much of the tooth as possible so it doesn’t need to be extracted.
Do you have questions about getting a root canal in Rio Grande, NJ? If so, then don’t hesitate to turn to Whitecaps Dental today for all of your restorative, general and preventive dental care.