Inside each tooth is an intricate system of pulp chambers housing nerves and blood vessels. Known as the root canal system, they’re what bring your tooth to life. When decay-causing bacteria penetrate deep enough through cavities, they can attack this area and cause a serious, painful infection. This, in turn, requires root canal therapy. It’s important to recognize the signs of a root canal infection. The sooner you seek treatment, the fewer side effects you’ll experience and the better the treatment outcome.

Symptoms of a Root Canal Infection

1. Sharp Pain

Pain is the number on side effect associated with root canals. Many people mistake it for a side effect of surgery; it’s actually a symptom of the infection. It can range from moderate and infrequent to intense and constant, especially when biting down on food. It may shoot from inside of the tooth or from around it. This is a telltale sign of an infection and that you need to see a dentist. Keep in mind though that not all root canal infections come with pain.

2. Swelling

As the infection spreads, it will begin to affect surrounding gum tissue. This manifests as noticeable swelling, redness, and tenderness. Your gums may also bleed. In the worst cases, swelling may spread to the cheek or other areas of the mouth as the infection spreads beyond the root canal. This can result in tissue damage and issues with other teeth, which is why immediate general dentistry services are needed.

3. Darkening Tooth

During root canal therapy, your dentist removes all of the nerves and pulp from inside the chambers, cleans them, and then seals the tooth. It’s, in essence, dead, though still usable. When a tooth dies prior to this from infection, it will begin to blacken. This is also from significant internal decay. It may become brittle and break, in which case you may need a tooth extraction if it goes untreated long enough.

The sooner you address a root canal infection, the better, and if you’re in the Perry, GA, area, the team at Braswell Family Dentistry can help. They offer comprehensive cosmetic and general dentistry services at their full-service office, as well as orthodontics. Dr. Temiko Braswell is committed to helping each patient maintain a healthy smile, so call (478) 988-3200 to schedule a teeth cleaning. To explore their services further and receive news and updates, visit their website and connect on Facebook.