Overview
Know
the Warning Signs
Root canals have a reputation, but the reality is much less dramatic — modern root canal therapy relieves pain rather than causing it.
The trick is catching the problem early. Here are the symptoms that suggest it's time to have a tooth evaluated.
Persistent Toothache
Pain that lingers — especially deep pain that returns after you eat, when you lie down, or without any obvious trigger — is one of the most common signs that a tooth's inner nerve is inflamed or infected.
Sensitivity to Hot or Cold
Brief sensitivity happens to most of us. But if hot coffee or cold water causes sharp pain that hangs on for a while after the temperature is gone, the nerve inside the tooth may be involved.
Pain When You Bite or Touch the Tooth
Discomfort when you chew, tap the tooth, or apply light pressure often points to inflammation at the root — a signal that shouldn't be ignored.
Swollen, Tender Gums
Swelling or a small bump on the gums near a painful tooth can indicate an abscess. This is a sign of infection and should be evaluated as soon as possible.
Darkening of the Tooth
A tooth that has become noticeably darker than the ones around it may have suffered nerve damage — sometimes from an old injury that seemed to heal at the time.
If any of these sound familiar, don't wait. Call (810) 628-3914 to schedule an exam so we can find out what's going on and treat it early.