What is Causing My Tooth Pain?

What is Causing My Tooth Pain?

Root canal therapy helps you avoid tooth loss and end your pain. Could a root canal help you? Your Glenview, IL, dentists, Drs. Alexander Quezada and David Lewis of Colonial Dental Group can help determine what is causing your tooth pain. These signs and symptoms may occur if you need a root canal.

Tooth pain

You may need a root canal if the pain in your tooth is caused by inflammation or an infection in your tooth pulp. The harder dentin and enamel layers cover the soft pulp that consists of tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. We can refer patients to a specialist if a root canal is needed. During root canal therapy, the dentist removes the pulp and replaces it with a filling.

Tooth pain becomes severe and throbbing with an infection or inflammation. This isn't always the case. Even mild or intermittent pain is a sign that there's trouble deep inside your tooth. Pain increases when you chew or even press on your tooth with your finger, and after eating or drinking sugary, hot or cold substances.

Gum changes

Infection or inflammation results in gum tissue sensitivity. Make an appointment with the Glenview, IL, dental office if you notice that your gums are red, swollen, and painful. These changes are also a sign of gum disease and require prompt treatment.

Discoloration

Has your tooth darkened recently? The change in color indicates a pulp issue. Darkening is never normal and always warrants a trip to the dentist.

Abscess symptoms

An abscess occurs when you have a bacterial infection in your tooth pulp. Without treatment, the bacteria enter your bloodstream and travels to other parts of your body. Symptoms of an abscess may include severe pain in your tooth and jaw, swollen lymph nodes, fever, facial swelling, and pus or a small bump on the gum tissue near your tooth. Abscesses are dental emergencies and require immediate treatment.

Trauma

A blow to the face that damages the tooth requires a root canal. Proper treatment requires implanting the tooth.

Schedule an appointment with your Glenview, IL, dentists

Protect your smile! Call your dentists in Glenview, IL, Drs. Alexander Quezada and David Lewis of Colonial Dental Group, at (847) 729-2233 to schedule an appointment.