The words "root canal" tend to make people nervous, but the procedure itself is designed to relieve pain, not cause it by removing infected or inflamed tissue inside your tooth. Here are the signs that may indicate you need one.

1. Persistent or Severe Toothache

Pain that lingers, especially deep, throbbing pain that doesn't go away with over-the-counter medication, is one of the most common signs of an infected or inflamed tooth pulp.

2. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold That Lingers

Occasional sensitivity is common, but if hot or cold sensations cause pain that lingers for more than a few seconds after the stimulus is removed, it can indicate nerve damage inside the tooth.

3. Swollen or Tender Gums

Swelling near the affected tooth, or a small pimple-like bump on the gums (called a fistula), a simgle infection can spread beyond the tooth into surround tissue.

4. Tooth Discoloration

A tooth that's turning gray, dark yellow, or black often means the internal nerve has been damaged or has died, cutting off blood supply that keeps the tooth looking healthy.

5. Pan When Chewing or Touching the Tooth

If pressure or chewing triggers sharp pain, it may mean inflammation has spread to the ligaments and bone surround the tooth's root.

6. A Cracked or Chipped Tooth

Cracks, even ones you can't see, can allow bacteria to reach the inner pulp of the tooth, leading to infection that requires root canal therapy to resolve.

7. A Tooth That Suddently Stops Hurting

This might sound like good news, but it can actually mean the nerve inside the tooth has died. The infection is often sill present and can spread if left untreated.

What Happens If You Ignore These Signs?

Untreated infection inside a tooth doesn't go away on its own. It can spread the jawbone, cause an abscess, or in rare cases, lead to more serious health complications. Catching it early usually means a simpler, more comfortable treatment.

What to Expect During a Root Canal

Modern root canals are performed with local anesthesia and are generally no more unclomfortable than getting a filling. Your dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans and seals the inside of the tooth, and typically places a crown afterward to protect and strengthen it.

Don't Ignore Tooth Pain

If any of these signs sound familiar, it's worth getting checked out sooner rather than later. The earlier it's caught, the more likely we can save your natural tooth! 

Experiencing tooth pain? Schedule an appointment with Forest Family Dentistry in Austin and Round Rock today.