Signs You Need a Root Canal Treatment (RCT)

Root canal treatment, or RCT, involves treating tooth pulp infections caused by bacteria in the mouth. If you experience toothache, loose tooth, discoloured tooth, and/or swollen gums and jaws, reach out to a seasoned dentist.

Root canal treatment (RCT) helps treat infections in the tooth pulp that is situated at the centre of a tooth (the root canal). This dental procedure can save an infected tooth from completely being removed. If you too are suffering from dental issues, then you can either connect with the best dentist in Gurgaon or book an online dental consultation.

Read ahead to know more about root canal treatment.

Why is Root Canal Treatment Needed?

RCT is needed when bacteria, generated from plaque (a sticky, colourless biofilm that coats teeth) or food residue stuck between the teeth, infect tooth pulp and lead to inflammation (or pulpitis). This infection in the root canal can happen due to:

• Damage to teeth after a trauma like fall
• Leaky fillings
• Tooth decay/cavity

When is Root Canal Treatment Needed?

When dental X-rays display that the tooth pulp has been inflamed by a bacterial infection, allowing bacteria to multiply and spread, RCT is recommended to clear out the infection.

While you can have infected teeth without symptoms, the signs that indicate that you may need a root canal treatment include:

• Discoloured Tooth: Infection in tooth pulp can keep blood from getting to your tooth, turning it dark.
• Loose Tooth: Your tooth may feel loose as the pus from the infected tooth pulp can degrade the bones supporting your tooth.
• Boils on Gums: Infected teeth can create boils with smelly pus on the gums.
• Pressure Hurts: When your tooth hurts upon eating or touching it, it may reflect that something damaged the nerves around the tooth pulp.
• Swollen Gums: Your gums may swell when you have an infected tooth.
• Swollen Jaw: If pus doesn’t drain away from the infected tooth, then your jaw may swell up.
• Tooth Pain: Many things can cause toothache. But, if the pain does not go away, is deep in a tooth and/or spreads to your jaw, face or other teeth, then it may indicate an infection.

Notably, it is important to reach out to a reputable dental practitioner like the best dentist in Gurgaon if you experience toothache because infection in your tooth pulp cannot heal by itself.

How is Root Canal Treatment Done?

Root canal treatment is not a painful procedure and involves the removal of inflamed pulp. It also includes cleaning and disinfecting the inside of your tooth. And, finally, place a filling on the tooth to seal the area. 

Let’s delve deeper to learn about the steps involved in root canal treatment:

• Anesthesia is injected to numb the infected tooth and nearby gums. Also, medications may be given in case of dental anxiety to help relax.
• A thin, flexible piece of rubber is placed over the infected tooth and nearby gums to keep your tooth dry during treatment.
• A tiny hole is drilled in the tooth’s crown to reach the tooth pulp.
• Dental instruments are used to remove nerves, tissues, and blood vessels in the tooth pulp.
• The pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned and disinfected after clearing out the tooth pulp.
• The empty pulp chamber and root canals are filled with a flexible, rubbery dental material (gutta-percha).
• The tooth is sealed with a temporary dental filling that keeps bacteria from getting into the tooth.
• A dental crown is placed on the treated tooth to protect it and restore your bite.

Care Tips After RCT

Here are some tips that can help you heal faster as your tooth and gums go through a lot during RCT.

• Avoid chewing on your treated tooth if you are waiting on your permanent crown.
• Brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day.
• Eat soft food items like mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, smoothies and yoghurt.
• Take a break from smoking after your root canal treatment is done.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep germs at bay.

Generally, a week or less is needed to recover from a dental procedure like root canal treatment. Reach out to your dentist if the treated tooth hurts even after a week.

By and large, practising good oral hygiene and scheduling dental checkups regularly are the best ways to avoid dental issues. Also, regularly visiting the best dentist in Gurgaon or booking an online dental consultation can help spot cavities and dental infections early on before they begin to affect the tooth pulp.