Determining whether you need a root canal or another type of dental treatment is usually handled by your general dentist or endodontist. You can avoid many complications by knowing the signs and symptoms indicating a root canal may be needed, and making an appointment to have your tooth examined.

Signs You May Need A Root Canal

Root canals are often the treatment of choice when a tooth has become injured or infected at a level impacting your dental pulp – the part of your tooth beneath the enamel and dentin layers, made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

There are many ways this part of the tooth can be injured:

• A chip or crack in the tooth lets bacteria into the pulp, causing infection
• Severe, untreated tooth decay or cavities
• Trauma to the face resulting in damage to your tooth’s structure

Sometimes teeth needing root canals show few symptoms and require diagnosis through careful examination by a dental professional using radiographs or other imaging techniques. It’s often apparent, though, when something is wrong with your tooth. Some of the symptoms that may call for a root canal include:

1. A severe toothache that gets worse when you chew or apply pressure near the tooth
2. Swelling and tenderness of the gums near the tooth
3. Discoloration (usually darkening) of the tooth
4. The tooth is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, and discomfort remains after the source of the temperature change is gone
5. A pimple on the gums that persists or keeps reappearing

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your general dentist or endodontist immediately.

“Recognizing the signs of damaged or infected teeth can save patients extra discomfort and ensure their root canal treatment begins early,” says Dr. Allen, an endodontist who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group.

Your experience after a root canal may be as unique as the circumstances that led to your need for the procedure. After your root canal, your endodontist will likely send you home with instructions for how to care for your teeth until a permanent crown can be placed. These instructions might cover pain management, brushing and flossing, and tips for retaining your temporary crown.

One of the post-procedural questions that may be at the top of your mind is when you can go back to work. The simple answer is usually, “the day after your procedure.” However, several factors can influence this time estimate.

3 Post-Root Canal Questions To Answer Before You Return To Work

1. How much post-procedure pain are you experiencing? You may experience discomfort after the root canal, but often it can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers. Serious pain can indicate that you may need to follow up with your endodontist.
2. Is your temporary crown still in place? You will need to have the crown replaced if it falls out.
3. Does your work situation allow you to control what you eat? You’ll want to eat soft, cool, bland foods and chew on the side of the mouth opposite the root canal.

“Most adults can go back to work within a day of their root canal,” says Dr. Allen an endodontist who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group, “However, it’s crucial not to rush that return so much that you miss a symptom your endodontist needs to know about.”

Modern root canals are very effective treatments for natural teeth endangered by injury, decay or disease. The procedure has a success rate well above 90 percent. In those first few days after a root canal, though, your attention may be drawn to more immediate concerns, including what to eat as your mouth heals.

How you eat and what you eat are two key pieces of your root canal aftercare. Following the guidelines below can help ensure your recovery goes smoothly.

Foods To Avoid After Your Root Canal

1. Raw vegetables. Normally health enhancing, crunchy snacks such as carrots and celery should be temporarily taken off your menu.
2. Nuts. Again, this category of food is usually on the health friendly list, but they are simply too hard for your newly treated tooth to handle.
3. Hard candy. Even if your intention is to suck on these sweet treats instead of chew them, there is always the risk that the candy could shatter or put too much pressure on the treated area.
4. Chewing gum. The main danger of using chewing gum after a root canal is that it could pull out your temporary filling, which is essential to preventing infection until a permanent crown can be placed.
5. Excessively hot foods or drinks. Items such as hot coffee, soup or tea may cause painful sensitivity during the healing period.

Foods that are generally safe to eat after a root canal include ice cream, soft fruits such as bananas and mangoes, yogurt, milkshakes, oatmeal and soft cereals free of any nuts. It is also very important to chew on the side of the mouth opposite your tooth receiving root canal treatment, and to eat slowly.

“The healing period for a root canal is not especially lengthy, but it is important to eat with care during that time to avoid damaging the work your endodontist has done,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group.

Just as it is important to be an informed consumer when you go shopping, if you have been referred to a Phoenix endodontist for a root canal, you should ask questions of your provider about the procedure. Your experience with the root canal may be more pleasant and less confusing if you take the time to arm yourself with accurate answers to the following three questions.

Top 3 Questions To Ask Your Phoenix Endodontist About Your Root Canal

1. What is the reason for my root canal? There are many reasons an endodontist might use root canal treatment to save your natural tooth: you could be experiencing a challenge to your tooth pulp due to a cracked or chipped tooth, advanced tooth decay, dental trauma that knocked your tooth out of the socket, or a bacterial infection. Understanding the cause may help avoid the need to perform root canals on other teeth.
2. How much experience do you have performing root canals? With the average general dentist providing two root canals per week and the average Phoenix endodontist averaging 25 procedures per week, it helps to know how experienced your provider is. Studies show that patients who had their root canal performed by an endodontist experienced treatment success in 98 percent of all cases.
3. How can I participate in making my root canal successful? Once you are clear on why your root canal is being performed and your provider’s experience level, one of the most crucial questions you can ask relates to what YOU can do to help make it successful. Almost all root canals need a final restoration after the procedure to ensure the root canal succeeds, so your commitment to having that work completed is essential.

“If you want to boost the chances that your root canal will be successful, you can do more than just make an appointment with a qualified Phoenix endodontist – please ask questions,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontics Group. “Your participation makes you an active part of your treatment team.”