What are the Signs That You Need a Root Canal?

One of the most common things people say when our dentist in Arcadia recommends a root canal

is, “But it doesn’t feel like anything is wrong with my tooth.” It’s true: sometimes a tooth with

nerve damage will never hurt or exhibit symptoms. But the rest of the time, you should watch out

for signs like these:

Darkening of the Tooth

Dying nerves mean that the

tooth is no longer getting the

circulation that it needs. As

such, the enamel can start to

become brittle and darker. It

might look grey or even

brown. In some cases, teeth

may not start to “die” until

years after an accident or

trauma (such as a blow to

the mouth during a baseball

game.)

A “Pimple” on the Gums

When the nerve of a tooth is

infected, one of the only

places the infection can drain is out the tip of the root. This can cause a fistula (or “pimple”) on

the gums. It may tend to come and go, but shouldn’t ever be ignored. Otherwise the infection

could actually spread deeper into the body.

Strange Sensitivity

Is a particular tooth starting to feel sensitive to particular foods or drinks, but the rest of your

teeth feel just fine? Heat sensitivity especially is a red flag for nerve damage. Our dentist Dr.

Farahmand will use special aids to test the tooth during your exam, so that we can determine

exactly what’s going on.

At OF Dental Care we’re happy to answer any questions that you may have and make sure that

you’re as comfortable as possible with the recommended treatment. For further information or to

schedule a consultation please contact OF Dental Care at 626.254.1948 or visit

http://www.OFDentalCare.com.