The only thing worse than needing a root canal is needing an EMERGENCY root canal! And as we all know, emergencies tend to pop up at the most inopportune times, like right before a long weekend. But that may be when you need to find a root canal doctor right away!
Let’s back up and cover the basics. How do you know if you need an emergency root canal?
A root canal therapy is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that has become decayed or infected.
When the tooth “pulp,” the part composed of nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or damaged it can cause you pain. During a routine root canal treatment, the dentist removes the pulp, cleans the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent future damage.
Not all toothaches become serious health concerns. But if you’re experiencing a toothache, it’s best to get treatment before it gets worse. Your dentist will likely schedule you for a root canal sooner rather than later to avoid any complications caused by a delay.
However, sometimes severe symptoms arise due to complications caused by the oral infection. These can happen very quickly. In these cases, the pain and risk of additional damage may be serious enough to warrant emergency action. If the decay or infection has spread, the pain can be enough interfere with your daily life.
Additionally, you may experience intense pain that goes beyond the infected tooth and radiates over a larger area. In some cases, a small red bump may appear near the affected area. This is the sign that an abscess may be forming, which would warrant emergency attention.
When a decaying tooth goes untreated for longer than it should, the bacteria found in the infected tooth pulp can spread into the gums and jaw. This can lead to something called a dental abscess. Abscesses can lead to further complications, including sepsis.
If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, you should seek out a root canal doctor right away. Luckily for those in need of emergency root canal treatment in Phoenix, AZ, our offices are open on Sundays. So there is no reason to delay your emergency root canal treatment!
If you are feeling discomfort and there are external signs of severe infection, pay attention to the signals your body is sending you. Swelling gums, discoloration in the tooth, and even dizziness and fatigue are all symptoms of something being very wrong.
If an infected tooth is not treated, the infection could spread elsewhere in your body, which is potentially life-threatening. Do not wait. Even if you need a dentist open on a Sunday, we can help! Our office is conveniently located in Central Phoenix, and we can offer same-day and Sunday appointment times to accommodate your emergency needs.
The sooner an infected tooth is dealt with, the more problems can be avoided, both in terms of pain and in overall health. So if you’re having a dental emergency, reach out today.