Root canals are not something many people look forward to. The procedure is generally painless and very common. The fear and mystery surrounding this treatment can be alleviated by understanding what it entails and its warning signs.

Infected or badly decayed teeth are treated with root canals to restore and save them. Endodontics is another name for this treatment.  Once bacteria infect the pulp tissue inside the tooth’s chamber, a root canal infection can worsen quickly.

Therefore, this makes treating the condition more important. So, if you are wondering what a root canal is and how to spot it in the early stages then you have stumbled on the right article!

What happens to teeth if you have a root canal infection? 

Before jumping onto the warning signs it is vital to understand what happens to your teeth if you are suffering from Endodontics. There are a number of parts that make up the tooth structure.

It is the crown that appears in the mouth, while the root is the part that holds the tooth in place and extends into the jaw. Hence, when pulp tissue, or the blood supply, is damaged, bacteria multiply within the pulp chambers and canals causing root infection. 

Leaving an infection untreated can result in swelling that may spread to other areas of the neck, face, or head, along with an abscess.

What are some common signs of a root canal infection? 

Now that you know how endodontics affects the teeth let us see some of the common signs of the same: 

• Pain and Inflammation at the Gum Line: Mouth inflammation can result from an endodontic infection. Sore gums and red gums can be caused by the same. However, irritation and swelling typically affect the area around the infected tooth, meaning they do not affect the entire area.
• Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth: An infected tooth may appear darker, or even yellow than usual. Root canal tissue becomes dark brown when infected, changing the look of the teeth. So, if you notice any change in your tooth color along with pain and terseness it can be a warning sign of endodontics. 
• Heat or cold sensitivity or pain: Recurring pain and sensitivity in teeth is the sign that the patient might have to undergo medical care or a proper root canal infection treatment. In addition, if the pain is high and you are facing issues with the bite you must visit your dentist immediately.  Furthermore, you can also experience sensitivity to cold and hot foods and drinks as a starting sign of an endodontic issue. 
• Bad breath: People with endodontic infections suffer from chronic bad breath. If you continue to have bad breath despite brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash it may be caused by an infection. An unpleasant odor is produced by the bacteria that cause root canal infections. Because of this, patients often experience bad mouth taste. It can become even worse if an abscess forms.

If you see any of the above-mentioned being persistent you must visit your dentist as soon as possible. The procedure usually takes two visits and is generally considered not to be any more uncomfortable than a filling since an anesthetic is used by the dentist before the procedure. 

An antibiotic course may be recommended by the dentist before the week preceding the root canal if there is already an abscess. In this way, dentists can then perform root canal treatment under anesthesia.

Therefore, visiting your dentist as early as possible will save you from further infections and tooth loss.