Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

Teeth Giving Your Trouble? 4 Signs You May Need A Root Canal

by Lillian Dixon

A root canal is a specialised dental treatment undertaken by professional dentists to repair and save badly damaged or infected teeth. Your tooth pulp or nerves can get damaged for a multitude of reasons –– from poor oral hygiene to decaying teeth. A root canal is then performed to remove this decaying pulp by cleaning and sealing the pulp chamber. Here are some common signs for professional dentists to undertake root canals.

You Face Frequent Toothaches

Toothaches are a common symptom indicating that your teeth are decaying. Tooth decay starts to occur when the pulp inside gets damaged. This causes pain and swelling, which results in severe toothaches. If you notice that your teeth are particularly sensitive and ache when you drink hot and cold liquids, then it could be another sign that you need a root canal. The tooth pain can be caused because of a swelling in the bones around your teeth. If you leave this toothache untreated for too long, then your entire tooth will need to be extracted. To prevent extraction, your dentists will perform a root canal to cap and save the tooth from further decay or damage.

Your Tooth Is Infected With An Abscess 

If your tooth is infected with an abscess, then you will ultimately need a root canal. An abscess is a type of infection that is created when tooth pulp dies. This deteriorated tooth pulp causes pus to form around the edges of the tooth's root. If an abscess is left untreated for too long, it will swell up further and will infect the tooth bone. This infection can cause major dental problems unless you get the dentists to perform root canals as soon possible. The root canal treatment will involve removing dead tissue and capping the tooth to prevent further infections. The best way to determine whether you need a root canal is through a dental x-ray. The x-ray will display the size of abscess and will help your dentists establish the extent of the root canal.

Your Teeth Appear Discoloured

If your teeth appear more discoloured than before, then it could mean that your nerves are facing some changes. Your dentist will examine the colour of your teeth to establish whether root canal therapy is a suitable solution for you. Tooth discolouration is relatively common if your teeth have experienced some trauma through sports, fights or accidents. If you notice slight brownish discolouration appearing on your teeth, don't take it lightly because it may need more serious intervention.

If you notice any of these signs, your dentist may need to undertake a root canal.


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About Me

Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

As a mum, I know how essential sport can be to children's development. Through team sports like soccer, kids learn persistence, sportsmanship and the value of supporting their team members. However, all that learning carries some risk as well, and a stray elbow or a ball to the face can result in oral injuries. I have been the mum rushing to the emergency room with a precious permanent tooth sitting in a cup of milk. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn't even sure if the cup of milk was the right solution. As a parent, you will face those situations, and I'm here to make sure you know what to do when they pop up. With this blog, let's explore children's dentistry and sports injuries together... I want you to have the info you need to stay cool, calm and collected, regardless of how many teeth are on the pitch.