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What Your Toothache Might Really Be Telling You
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- What Your Toothache Might Really Be Telling You
Not all toothaches are created equal. While sensitivity or soreness might signal a cavity or gum issue, persistent pain (especially in one tooth) could mean something more serious: a dead or non-vital tooth.
How do you know if you have a non-vital tooth?
We break it down below.
What Is a Dead Tooth?
A tooth is considered “dead” when the pulp, which is the soft tissue inside, no longer receives blood flow. This typically happens after a trauma or untreated decay that causes infection, cutting off the tooth’s blood supply. Once the blood supply gets cut off, the tooth will slowly “die” and may eventually fall out.
Signs of a Dead Tooth
If you are worried you may have a non-vital tooth, here are the top signs to watch for:
- Discoloration: One of the clearest signs of a non-vital tooth is a color change. A dead tooth may appear gray, brown, or even black. The change is internal and doesn’t improve with whitening.
- Persistent, localized pain: You may feel an ongoing dull ache or intense pain when chewing or tapping the tooth.
- Swelling and Abscess Formation: A dead tooth can lead to infection at the root tip, which may cause swelling of the gums or jaw. Pus may even drain from the area, giving off a foul taste or odor.
Can It Be Saved?
Sometimes, yes. If caught early, a root canal may clean and seal the tooth to prevent extraction. But ignoring symptoms increases the risk of losing the tooth entirely.
Dead Tooth Treatment in Weyburn, SK
Don’t let small symptoms lead to big problems. If you are concerned about your tooth health, visit Smiles on Souris for assessment and treatment, including root canals in Weyburn. Our general dental clinic offers several options to prevent or treat a non-vital tooth. Turn to us before the damage worsens.
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