Tooth pain is more than just an inconvenience. It can disrupt your day, keep you up at night, and make it hard to enjoy your favourite foods. When a toothache goes from a minor bother to a constant, throbbing pain, your body is telling you something serious is happening. Our team at Elevate Dental is committed to providing a comfortable and compassionate dental experience to help find the source of the problem.
This persistent discomfort is often a sign of an infection deep inside your tooth. A root canal is a dental treatment that can remove the infection, stop the pain, and save your natural tooth from needing to be pulled.
Persistent Pain & Lingering Sensitivity
One of the clearest signals of a tooth infection is pain that just won’t quit. This isn’t the kind of brief sensitivity that disappears in a moment. Instead, it’s a nagging discomfort that sticks around and makes itself known throughout your day.
Constant Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
You may feel a sharp, shooting pain whenever you bite down or chew. It can also show up as a deep, throbbing ache in your tooth, jaw, or even the side of your face. For some, the pain is severe enough to wake them from a sound sleep.
Referred Pain in Your Face & Jaw
Sometimes, the pain from an infected tooth doesn’t stay in one spot. You might feel a dull ache in your jaw, your cheek, or around your ear. This is called referred pain, and it happens because the nerves in your tooth and face are all connected.
Sensitivity to Hot & Cold
The sensitivity related to a tooth infection is different from other causes of sensitive teeth. It’s a sharp pain that lingers for 30 seconds or more after you’ve had a hot or cold drink. This lasting discomfort is a strong hint that the nerves inside your tooth may be damaged.
Visible Changes to Your Tooth & Gums
Your mouth can give you visual clues when something is wrong. Take a moment to look at the area around the painful tooth in a mirror. An infection can cause changes that are easy to spot if you know what to look for.
Pay close attention to these specific signs:
- Tooth discolouration: If the living tissue inside your tooth is damaged, it can cause the tooth to turn a greyish or dark colour, making it stand out from its neighbours.
- Swollen gums: The gums right next to the sore tooth might look puffy, red, or feel tender. This swelling can be a sign of a localized infection or part of a larger issue requiring gum disease treatment.
- A pimple on the gum: A small, persistent bump that looks like a pimple can form on your gum. This is an abscess—a clear sign of an infection trying to drain and a common symptom of periodontal disease.
Damage & Other Physical Signs
Beyond pain and visible changes, other clues can point to a problem deep inside your tooth. These signs are often related to the tooth’s structure and how your body is responding to the infection.
A Chipped Or Cracked Tooth
A chipped or cracked tooth can act like an open door for bacteria. Even a tiny fracture that you can’t see or feel can allow germs to get inside the tooth, leading to an infection in the soft tissue, or pulp.
A Loose Tooth
An infection at the root of your tooth can cause changes in the surrounding bone. As the infection progresses, it may soften the alveolar bone that holds your tooth in place, causing the tooth to feel slightly loose.
What a Root Canal Involves
A root canal is a restorative dental procedure designed to clean out an infection from inside your tooth—think of it as a deep cleaning for the parts you can’t see. The main goal is to preserve your natural tooth structure and bring you lasting relief from pain.
The idea of a root canal might make you feel nervous, but the treatment is all about making you feel better. The area around your tooth is numbed completely so you can stay comfortable. Many people find the experience is similar to having a routine filling done.
During the treatment, the infected material is carefully removed, and the space is disinfected and sealed. Afterward, a dental crown is often placed on top. This crown acts like a protective helmet, strengthening the tooth and letting you chew normally again.
How We Can Help
If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit for a professional examination. A professional examination can determine what’s causing your tooth pain and what treatment is right for you. The sooner an infected tooth is addressed, the better the outcome. Our team can carefully examine your tooth, find the source of the problem, and recommend a path to get you smiling out loud again. We are here to answer your questions and walk you through every step of your care, helping you feel comfortable and informed. Contact us today to book an appointment and get your smile back on track.
