05
Apr
How Do I Know I Need a Root Canal? 7 Symptoms to Watch Out For
Root canal treatment in Manteca, California, is a safe and effective procedure for those with deep tooth infections. Expertly administered at the Family Dental Center of Manteca, root canals relieve pain and save your infected/damaged tooth from extraction. If you suspect the need for a root canal, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mircea Mitu for painless root canals.
Signs you need root canal treatment
A root canal resolves internal damage to your tooth. The procedure is more seamless than what many people expect. After an examination, the dentist numbs your tooth with local anesthetics and creates a small access hole on the tooth to remove the infected/damaged pulp. After cleaning the tooth, the dentist fills it with gutta-percha and restores it with a crown. A root canal restores your tooth to its full health and can last many years with proper care.
How do I know I need a root canal? Here are five warning signs of root canal infection
- Toothache: Pain is the telltale sign that your tooth has an infection. The pain increases when you chew or apply pressure to your tooth. Often, this pain can keep you awake, and eating becomes a painful experience. Sometimes, the pain is dull but persists even with home remedies.
- Tooth sensitivity: An infected tooth becomes sensitive because of the inflammation of the dental pulp. When bacteria infiltrate the pulp through deep cavities, cracks, or fractures, it causes pulpitis. This inflammation increases pressure within the tooth, stimulating the nerves. Irritated nerves increase sensitivity to stimuli such as hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages.
- Tooth discoloration: Tooth staining can result from several factors, including smoking, coffee, red wine, and poor oral hygiene. However, if you notice only one tooth is stained, it’s a sign the tissues within the pulp have died. An infected tooth tends to change to dark or brown.
- An abscess: This occurs when harmful bacteria create pockets of pus around the tooth root, appearing as a red bump on the gums. A dental abscess can be painful and cause bad breath despite good oral hygiene. A foul-smelling liquid may also ooze from the abscessed tooth.
- Chronic bad breath: Bad breath can occur because of several factors, including gum disease, certain foods, tobacco use, dry mouth, etc. However, sometimes oral infection can cause bad breath. If good oral hygiene doesn’t resolve bad breath, it could be a sign you need to see a root canal dentist.
- Swollen gums: An infected tooth nerve can cause the gums to swell or become tender. The tissues around the tooth swell, and your face may appear swollen, too.
- Cracked or fractured tooth: Broken teeth from biting on hard objects or facial trauma can expose the pulp chamber to harmful bacteria. Whereas not all cracked or fractured teeth need root canal treatment, it is necessary to have a dentist evaluate them.
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New Patients: (209) 420-1205 | Existing Patients: (209) 823-1705
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Root canal treatment near me!
Are you experiencing persistent tooth pain or sensitivity? The culprit could be an infected tooth. Family Dental Center of Manteca specializes in root canal treatment to alleviate discomfort and save your natural teeth. Don’t let tooth pain disrupt your life. Call (209) 420-1205 and schedule an appointment today.
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Mircea Mitu DDS, FICOI, AFAAID
Dr. Mircea Mitu has almost three decades of dental experience, including nine years of associateship and managing clinical practices in the East Bay Area and several years of practice and academic positions in prosthodontics. Before setting up his practice, he completed hundreds of hours in postgraduate dentistry. He has attended prestigious organizations like the UCLA Center for Aesthetic Program and Misch International Implant Institute.Dr. Mitu is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Joaquin County Dental Association and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
George D’Louhy DDS, MS
Dr. George D’Louhy is a respected orthodontist who has been practicing for 30 years. Dr. D’Louhy earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from St. Louis University and completed further advanced training to receive his Speciality in Orthodontics MS degree from St. Louis University School of Orthodontics.As a specialist in Orthodontics, Dr. D’Louhy applies his three decades of experience and his expertise using Full Banded Orthodontics and other treatments to help patients achieve stunning smiles. Dr. D’Louhy is trusted for his technical skills and ability to work with patients and their parents to create beautiful, healthy smiles.
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