Root canal infection is among the most common oral problems. But should I worry about root canal infection, and is it considered a dental emergency? This article will discuss root canal infection, its reasons, and the emergency dental cases that it may cause. You can ask our Toronto emergency dentist if you need more information.
Teeth are not entirely rigid and are composed of different layers. It’s hard outer surface is called tooth enamel. Its inner layer is called dentin and is porous like a spongy tissue. In the center of each tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp in the tooth contains nerves and blood vessels that allow the teeth to grow. The pulp is full of cells called odontoblasts, which keep teeth healthy. If the tooth pulp is destroyed, it will cause infection, destruction, tooth decay, or other dental problems that sometimes need emergency dental care.
Root canal infections are not very common. But there is a slim chance of developing a tooth root infection even after the tooth root has been regenerated.
Symptoms indicate root canal infection
Feeling of pain shortly after root canal treatment is common. You may feel a little uncomfortable and be in pain for a few days after that. It may also last up to a week.
If you feel severe pain after a week, ensure to see your dentist, especially if your problem is worse than when you have not yet treated your tooth root.
Sometimes an infection can develop at the tooth root that has not felt pain for a long time. A tooth whose root has been treated may not have fully healed and may still be painful for several months or even years after treatment.
You should see an emergency dentist if you have any symptoms
Here are some signs that your tooth root is infected and you should make an emergency appointment with your dentist:
Pain and discomfort
The pain usually varies from mild to very severe, especially while eating or when clenching your teeth. Also, you may feel pain when your teeth are exposed to very high temperatures.
Secretions
These tooth secretions are green, yellow, or colorless.
The gum tissue will be swollen, hot, and red
The tissues near the tooth, mainly where the tooth is located, will swell. This swelling even may affect the face or even the neck.
Pain and discomfort in the swollen gum tissue
Pain in the swollen gum tissue, especially when you press the tooth slightly
a bad taste or bad breath
An oral infection can cause bad breath or bad taste.
Can the infection spread to the gums or other teeth?
Like other infections, the infection at the tooth root can spread to surrounding tissues, including other teeth, gums, chin, and face. The infection will not disappear until it is completely healed. The later the treatment, the higher the risk of emergency dental problems will be.
Infection spreading to other areas depends on how long it takes to treat the tooth after seeing the signs and symptoms. If you seek treatment for a few hours or days after seeing the infection symptoms, it will harm other areas less.
Root canal infections that have not been treated can quickly move to other teeth. In most cases, the infection will enter the jaw, face, and even the bloodstream and results in emergency dental cases.
