5 Signs That Might Mean You Need a Root Canal

We understand that just the mere thought of having a root canal sends many people into a panic. It’s understandable; although it’s unwarranted, root canals have gotten a bad reputation for decades.

That’s unfortunate because root canal therapy at our Fairfax, VA dental office is a vital service that is needed to save a damaged tooth. One myth we want to do away with is that the procedure itself is painful. In fact, root canals don’t cause pain; they relieve it. Think about it – if you have ever gone to the dentist with root canal pain, you know that the moment the local anesthesia takes effect you feel a hundred percent better!

Our goal is to ensure you never get to the point where you experience the pain of an infected root canal. The best way to avoid discomfort is to keep your regularly scheduled exams and cleanings. Seeing you twice a year enables us to detect problems and treat them before they become painful. Routine dental x-rays can often detect the start of an infection. It may appear as a dark shadow near the root of your tooth. When caught early, we can often avoid a painful dental emergency.

However, we want you to be aware of the signs of root canal infection because the sooner you know you have a problem, the sooner we can resolve it with proper treatment.

• A raised bump on the gums
• Tenderness or swelling of the gums
• Severe pain that won’t go away
• Discomfort when you bite down
• Sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink

Root Canals in Fairfax

You should know that in some cases you may not have any symptoms at all. That’s why we stress the importance of routine preventive exams and cleanings. During regularly scheduled visits, we can check to make sure your smile is healthy and disease free.