Root canal therapy is a procedure used to restore a tooth that is badly infected or infected. The tooth may have become damaged or infected by decay, wear and tear, periodontal disease, cracked dental fillings or an injury to the tooth. A root canal can save your tooth from having to be removed. Led by Dr. Peyman Beigi and Dr. Nina Raeisian, Milford Dental Group (located in Milford, MA) offers full-service, state-of-the-art dental care to the patients they serve. Here are 5 common signs that you may need a root canal.

1. You have a toothache. A severe toothache when biting or chewing is a sign that you may need root canal treatment. Toothache is pain in or around a tooth. Its level may range from slight to extreme. If left untreated, the pain will become worse over time. A root canal will alleviate your pain and improve your well-being. Many patients have reported that root canals are no more painful than having fillings placed.

2. You have a bump on your gums. Have you noticed a bump on your gums? A persistent pimple-like bump on the gums is a sign that a root canal is needed. The bump on your gums may go away and then come back. The bump is filled with pus caused by bacteria inside the tooth. Pus is a natural result of the body fighting an infection.

3. Your gums are inflamed. Swollen of the gum near the affected tooth is a sign that you may need a root canal. If your gums become swollen, they may protrude. The swelling can range from being slight to pronounced. The swelling may have presented itself for the first time, with a rapid or slow onset. In severe cases, the swelling may extend into your face or neck. In some cases, root canal therapy is needed to solve the problem of swollen gums if they don’t improve.

4. Hot and cold bother you. Another common sign that you might need root canal treatment is tooth sensitivity to heat or cold. You may experience pain when the area is exposed to hot or cold temperatures through beverages, foods, or the air. What starts as a mild ache can progress into a sharp, intense pain.

5. You have a darkened tooth. Darkening of the tooth may be a sign that a root canal is needed. A darkened tooth can be the result of bad oral hygiene, exposure to drinks and foods that stain enamel, or due to nerve damage. When nerve and blood vessel damage occurs, your dental provider will have you schedule an appointment for a root canal to remove the damaged root.

Conquer dental pain and regain your life. If you think you may need a root canal, call Milford Dental Group at (508) 966-7923 now to schedule a dental consultation in Milford, MA.