Root Canal Infection Symptoms - Woodinville, WA
An infected tooth must be taken seriously. Not only is it painful, but it can lead to a dangerous spread of infection to other parts of your mouth. Dr. Cristin Dowd and Dr. Ken Wu can perform root canal therapy (endodontic treatment) to treet tooth infections, which helps improve your sense of wellness and overall dental health.
The team at our Woodinville, WA dental practice would like to go over some of the most common signs and symptoms of root canal infections. This will give Signature Smiles patients the ability to recognize dental problems as they occur, and the ability to be proactive when it comes to their dental care needs.
What Is a Root Canal Infection?
A root canal infection occurs when the soft dental pulp within your teeth becomes infected by oral bacteria. This typically results in the formation of an abscess, which is a mass of pus located within the tooth itself. If the infection is not caught soon enough, your tooth will need to be pulled.
Identifying a root canal infection soon will help prevent the spread of infection and increase the chances of the tooth being treated without the need for an extraction. Keep an eye out for these warning signs.
Throbbing Pain in Your Tooth
Pain is the most common sign that something is wrong with your tooth. This throbbing pain can be severe, and can radiate into the jawbone, the jaw joint, the ear area, or your neck depending on which tooth is infected.
Tooth Sensitivity to Hot and Cold Temperatures
Infected teeth tend to be especially sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If you have soup or some ice cream and notice a sharp pain in a tooth, that may be the sign of a serious dental health problem.
Tooth Sensitivity When Biting and Chewing
In addition to hot and cold sensitivity, root canal infections typically cause the affected tooth to be sensitive to pressure. Our Woodinville remind patients to be mindful of any pain that occurs when biting or chewing since this is typically a sign that something is wrong.
Swelling of the Gumline and Face
Infections tend to prompt some amount of inflammation, so some swelling along the gum tissue around the tooth or on parts of your face could occur.
Strange Taste in Your Mouth
The accumulation of bacteria tends to lead to a strange, unpleasant taste in a person’s mouth. The taste may not always be present, but any foul flavors that linger in your mouth are typically a sign that something is not right.
Bad Breath
In addition to a strange taste, the excess bacteria in the mouth will also cause issues with bad breath. This is more than morning breath. If your breath is bad in the middle of the afternoon even though you’ve only had some water, there may be a bacterial infection in your mouth.
Fever
Some people with root canal infections run a fever as a result of the condition. Be sure to keep that in mind if you’re running a high temperature and notice any of the symptoms above as well.
When Should I See a Dentist About These Symptoms?
It’s best to see a dentist as soon as possible once you notice these symptoms or combinations of these symptoms. The earlier you can get the tooth infection treated, the better it is for your overall dental health. The problem could be treated with minimally invasive approaches.
Speak with Our Experienced Dentists
If you would like more information about treating and preventing root canal infections, contact our skilled team of cosmetic and restorative dentists. You can reach the Woodinville office of Signature Smiles by phone at (425) 489-1177.
