Some problems with your dental health are obvious. For example, if your tooth hurts, then there’s likely something wrong with it. However, exactly what that trouble is and how you should address it isn’t as obvious. In fact, you won’t know for sure until you visit your dentist for a thorough examination and diagnosis. For many patients, the condition behind their toothache is more severe than they realize, and in the case of tooth infection, the only way to find relief may be with root canal treatment.

The Signs of Tooth Trouble

When it comes to tooth decay (a progressive infection in your tooth caused by oral bacteria), the extent of your toothache can give you a hint as to how severe it is. If your tooth is slightly sensitive when you eat or drink something cold or hot, then your tooth may be in the early stages of decay, during which the protective enamel grows weak and compromised. If you wait until your toothache becomes more severe, then more damage will have been done to your tooth structure and more extensive restoration will be needed to fix it.

How Root Canal Treatment Helps

The reason internal tooth infection is so much more severe than moderate decay is because the infection has reached the pulp chamber that houses the tooth’s nerves. Besides the pain, the presence of the infection also poses the risk of further oral health complications, especially if it enters and spreads through the root canal connected to the pulp. Root canal treatment is the process of removing this infection and the infected tissues, then sealing the root canal and pulp to prevent further complications. Because the infected tissues are removed, your toothache will also finally be relived.

Don’t Hesitate to Schedule Your Root Canal Treatment

If you exhibit these or other signs of internal tooth infection, then talk to your dentist about root canal treatment before it’s too late. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smile in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.