When a tooth becomes infected, this could lead to serious discomfort, as well as a risk of tooth loss! Right now, our office is closed to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but we’re still here for emergency treatment, which includes addressing infected teeth. How do you know if you should contact your North Hollywood, CA, dentist for treatments like root canal therapy?

Toothaches and Other Warning Signs

The first sign of trouble is often sensitivity in your teeth, particularly when you consume hot or cold foods and drinks. Later, the sensitivity could grow more severe and a toothache could form. If the ache doesn’t pass after a few hours, then this is likely due to a cavity or infection. Other potential warning signs may include pain when biting down or chewing, a discharge from the tooth, or swelling near the tooth. If you ignore the problem, the infection could actually kill the tooth itself, and allow infection to reach surrounding teeth or move into the jawbone itself. If you experience one or more of these potential warning signs, then please contact our team right away.

The Root Canal Process

We will be taking steps to ensure your health and safety when you visit us. For example, we schedule appointments to ensure you’re the only one in the waiting room, and we thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces and tools in between each visit. When you do arrive, we will examine your smile and administer a local anesthetic to help you stay comfortable during the procedure. We start by opening the tooth to remove the infected tissues from within. Next, we clean the interior and fill it with gutta percha, a restorative material. The final step involves creating and placing a custom-made dental crown, which blends with the rest of your smile. You then leave with a whole, comfortable, and healthy smile.

Preventive Actions

You can take steps to help limit your risk of cavities and infections, such as brushing your teeth each day for about two minutes when you wake up and again before going to bed. You also need to floss every night before going to bed. Try to cut back on sugary foods and drinks too, as this limits the severity of plaque buildup. If you have any questions about keeping smiles healthy or scheduling an emergency visit, then contact our team today.

Do You Have Questions About Restorative Care?

We’re ready to help you enjoy a healthier smile, and stop the discomfort related to infection. For more information on our approach to restorative treatments, then schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smiles in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.