It doesn’t always mean that you need a root canal in Irving if you’re experiencing tooth pain. In fact, in some cases, it could be as simple as a lodged popcorn kernel between your tooth and gums causing your pain. However, it’s important to know what tell-tale signs point towards you having a tooth infection just in case you need to visit your emergency dentist for treatment. Here are some questions your emergency dentist will ask if you’re experiencing tooth pain to determine whether you need a root canal.
How Long Has Your Tooth Been Hurting?
One of the first questions that your emergency dentist in Irving will ask you to assess whether your pain could be caused by an infection is how long your tooth has been hurting. If your discomfort has built-up over time or suddenly appeared, disappeared, and then reappeared, these details can help us determine whether your tooth is infected and create the best treatment plan.
What Level of Pain Are You In?
Your emergency dentist will also ask you to rate your pain and whether or not you can manage it. This is largely in part to determine whether you require dental sedation for treatment and whether a simple procedure, like getting a filling, could help solve your issue. In some cases, your emergency dentist may catch the problem before it has turned into an infection, allowing them to complete a less invasive treatment to ease your discomfort.
Where is the Pain Radiating From?
If you’re experiencing a twinge of pain when you eat or drink something that’s hot or cold, this could be a sign of the beginnings of an infection, or it could be caused by enamel erosion. Typically, if you have a developed infection that requires a root canal, you may experience a persistent throbbing that can radiate to your neck, jawbone, and ear.
Additional Signs That You Need Root Canal Therapy
While tooth pain can be a sign that you require root canal therapy, there are also other symptoms that you can keep an eye out for to let you know when it’s time for you to visit your emergency dentist. Some of these include:
- A pimple-like bump on your gums near the affected tooth.
- Facial swelling.
- Swollen gums.
- Prolonged dental sensitivity to hot and cold items.
- Noticeable decay.
The first step you should always take if you’re experiencing out-of-the-ordinary symptoms is to contact your emergency dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. They’ll also provide you with over-the-phone guidance to make sure that no additional harm comes to your mouth!
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has over a decade of experience delivering fast and effective emergency dental care. He offers a variety of pain-relieving techniques as well as sedation dentistry to make sure that patients remain comfortable throughout their visit. He regularly completes continuing education as well and has earned his Level 2 certification in sedation dentistry. For questions about symptoms you’re experiencing or to schedule an emergency appointment, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur’s website or call 972-546-4114.