According to the American Association of Endodontists, 59% of people are afraid of getting a root canal (beating public speaking and spiders!). The fear surrounding this procedure is largely due to discomfort in the treatment chair, but it’s actually designed to alleviate pain, not cause it. If you’re unsure if you need to schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist, then keep reading to learn the answer to the question, “Do you have to be in pain to need a root canal?”
So, Do You Have to Be in Pain to Need a Root Canal?
Many patients assume that if their tooth was severely decayed or infected they would be in pain. However, that’s just one of the many symptoms associated with dental damage. That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist if you’re experiencing other common warning signs of trouble, including:
- Red, swollen, bleeding, or inflamed gums
- Persistent dental sensitivity
- A pimple-like bump on your gums
- Dark discoloration on one of your teeth
What If Your Toothache Has Gone Away?
If you struggled with considerable tooth pain for several weeks or months, but your symptoms have gone radio silent, don’t rejoice. Oftentimes, this happens because the infection has “killed” the nerve of the tooth, making it unable to register pain. That’s why it’s so important to schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist. They can pinpoint the root of the problem, assess the severity of the damage, and determine the best way to move forward – hopefully while your tooth can still be saved.
The Role Your Biannual Dental Checkups Play
Simply put, oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease can easily develop under the radar. By the time there are symptoms you can see or feel – like dark discoloration on your tooth or pain when biting down – root canal treatment or an extraction may be the only choice. For that reason, it’s of the utmost importance that you schedule a dental checkup and teeth cleaning every six months. These routine visits ensure that cavities are caught (and treated) as early as possible and that plaque and tartar buildup are removed before they lead to other oral health problems.
About the Practice
Our team at Evans Street Dental knows how much anxiety patients experience when it comes to extensive dental treatments, like root canals. That’s why we go above and beyond to make the entire process of restoring your tooth comfortable and stress-free. We even offer sedation dentistry, Saturday appointments, and multiple financial solutions! If you want to talk to our McMinnville dental team directly about this tooth-saving treatment, you can schedule an appointment via our website or by phone at (503) 472-1402.