Know the warning signs that it’s time to visit one of our Ringwood dentists.

One of the unfortunate things about your mouth is that it doesn’t always tell you when there are issues. Most of the time, decay and even gum disease lurk in your mouth without you ever knowing until you visit one of our Ringwood, NJ general dentists, Dr. David Kahn or Dr. John Pergolizzi, for a routine checkup. Of course, there are some symptoms that may actually be warning you that you need a root canal.

One of the most common signs that a patient may need a root canal is tooth pain. Of course, pain doesn’t always mean that a root canal is necessary. Signs of a dental infection that may be serious enough to warrant getting a root canal in Ringwood include:

• Dental pain that gets worse when eating
• Dental pain or sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
• Tooth discoloration or darkening
• Swelling or tenderness of the gums around the infected tooth
• A pimple-like growth on the gums near the tooth

If you notice any of these symptoms it’s always best to play it safe and visit our general dentist for care. Especially if you are dealing with persistent or severe dental pain, a root canal can save the tooth and eliminate your symptoms.

What should I expect from a root canal?

Many people have given a root canal a bad reputation but it’s a simple and easy procedure that is really no worse than having a tooth filled. Before you even get your root canal, we will need to run x-rays to see how severe the damage is.

During your procedure, the very first step is to numb the area with a local anesthetic. This will ensure that you don’t feel anything during your procedure. Numbing the area can be a major relief for many of our patients since most are dealing with pretty bad pain at this point.

Once the tooth is numb we will make an opening in the crown of the tooth and then use our special tools to remove the decayed or inflamed dental pulp. The inflamed dental pulp is what has been causing you all this pain. Then we will thoroughly clean out the tooth before filling the tooth back up and sealing it. In many cases, a dental crown is also made to fit over the tooth to prevent further damage.

If you are dealing with dental pain then you are dealing with a true dental emergency that requires immediate care. Call our Ringwood, NJ dental office today and turn to Dr. Kahn and Dr. Pergolizzi for the care your smile deserves.