Usually, your oral health is pretty much linked to the rest of your body. This is why it is important to sort out any problems with your teeth immediately. Root canals are used to eliminate an infection in a tooth, which could be caused by a number of things. If you’re questioning if you need one, look over these signs and contact your dentists North Wales. 

• Tooth Pain

The most common sign that you need a root canal is experiencing severe tooth pain. This may be not only in the tooth, but the surrounding area too. 

This pain is caused by the damage to the nerve in the pulp of a tooth. It can be very bad when you bite down, or possibly worse when you touch the tooth. 

There are lots of different oral pains, but if you have a sharp, stabbing pain in your tooth, this could well need a root canal. 

• Sensitivity

If you’re experiencing extreme sensitivity when drinking hot or cold liquids, this could be a sign of an infected nerve. 

A lot of people just have sensitive teeth, which usually affects their whole mouth. Look out for a more focused sensitivity, just affecting one tooth. 

• Swollen Gums

Inflammation of the gums is very common, and usually caused by gingivitis, food getting stuck, or an injury. 

If you notice the gum swollen by the base of the tooth, it could be an indicator of infection. Look for it occuring around one tooth instead of the whole mouth. 

• Sores 

Sores can appear in your mouth from acidic foods or eating something too hot, but these will go away on their own. Bacteria that come with infection can also cause sores. 

These sores are similar to spots you’d get on your face - white bumps containing bacteria. If they’re from a tooth infection they appear in the same area. 

If untreated they can increase in size and cause a bad taste in your mouth. 

• Discolouration

Tooth discolouration can be caused by poor oral hygiene and health, staining from dark foods and drinks, or smoking cigarettes. 

However, it can also be a sign of a damaged nerve. This is when the pulp of a tooth begins to be discoloured because of an infection in the nerve. 

Do I need a root canal?

If you have been asking yourself this for a while, put your mind at rest. Have a look over the warning signs, and get in touch with your dentist. The longer you put it off, the more extensive the procedure will be.