If you suffer from a dental infection, this could be a source of pain and over time, even risk the stability of your smile. That’s why we want you to understand the causes of an infected tooth, and how to recognize the warning signs. In today’s blog, your team at Omni Endo in El Paso, TX, talk about how teeth become infected and how we can help with root canal therapy!
The Causes and Warning Signs
Our teeth are made of layers. The outermost is the protective enamel, which safeguards your teeth against bacteria and injury. Making up most of the tooth is the inner dentin, which is softer and vulnerable to decay. All of this surrounds the pulp, the nerve center of your tooth that oversees the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth.
An infection means that harmful oral bacteria have reached the dentin, either through injury or an untreated cavity. You could experience painful sensitivity when you eat or drink, or even speak. There could be a persistent toothache that does not abate after a day or two, and you could have swelling near the tooth or even a foul-tasting discharge from it. Don’t ignore these warning signs. See our team so we can treat your infected tooth.
Root Canal Therapy
When teeth become infected, you need treatment. In most cases, we can offer relief with root canal therapy. With this option, our team will gently numb the tooth and potentially offer sedation if you have anxiety. We then open the tooth so that we can remove the interior tissues and clean the tooth’s interior as well. Our team then adds a special restorative material to fill the tooth, and will cap it with a custom crown. This stops the infection and prevents the loss of your tooth, all in one visit.
Surgery, Post and Core, and More
When a tooth becomes infected and you have a situation too severe for a traditional root canal, we can still help. For example, if the infection leaves the interior unable to support a crown, we could offer post and core buildup to strengthen the interior so your tooth can hold the crown and avoid further injury down the road. If the infection is located at the root tips, then instead of going through the tooth and roots, we could take a more direct approach with oral surgery, going through the gums to the tip and treating the issue at the source.
If you have any questions about what to do when a tooth becomes infected, then contact our team right away!
Call Omni Endo Offers Solutions for Aching Teeth
Our team is ready to help treat dental infection and save your tooth. To find out more about treating a dental infection, call Omni Endo in El Paso, TX, call 915.990.3636 today.
