If you’ve recently had a root canal surgery, chances are you’re really careful with what you eat and how you maintain your oral hygiene. However, sometimes, even the smallest mistake can offset the entire process. It doesn’t take long for inflammation to sprout near the root canal site. That is why in this blog, we’ll take you through all the different signs of infection after a root canal.
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
Typically, if there’s an extreme yet persistent pain in your tooth, it could indicate you might require root canal surgery. Moreover, heightened sensitivity to hot or cold foods, discoloration of teeth, and swollen gums can also be noticeable signs.
Additionally, one of the easiest ways to identify if something is wrong is by focusing on your gums. Pimples or bumps on gums, along with tenderness near the base of the tooth, can also be dead giveaways.
How is a Root Canal Performed?
Considering how a root canal is a treatment for a severe case of tooth decay, it requires quite an invasive surgery. Furthermore, since the pulp inside the tooth is what causes the problem, to begin with, that is what your dentist will work on removing. First, the dentist will put you under anesthesia. After that, through an extensive procedure, the pulp inside the tooth will be taken out and discarded. Once that is done, the dentist will work on restoring and sealing your tooth so that everything is clean again.
Signs of Infection After Root Canal
Getting rid of a dental abscess is one thing, but finding an infection growing on your newly cleaned tooth is another. If you notice a throbbing pain after a root canal, it’s probably a sign it’s been infected. Here are some of the signs you need to look out for in case of a root canal infection:
- Recurring Bump on Gums If your gum continues to develop little bumps full of pus after the surgery, it could be something to focus on. Look out for a red or yellowish pimple on the gums, especially around the tooth with the root canal.
- Extreme Fatigue After a root canal, it’s normal to feel under the weather. However, if you continue to feel lethargic for more than ten days after the surgery, you might need to contact your dentist.
- Tender Gums Warm or tender gums following a root canal are to be expected. Nonetheless, inform a dental professional immediately if you notice the gums around the affected tooth to be extremely warm.
- High Fever The biggest sign of an infection of any kind is high fever. If your body temperature reads over 99 degrees after a root canal, visit your dentist as soon as possible.
- Pain That Won’t Go Away You can expect to feel a lot of pain after a root canal, but it shouldn’t last for more than two to three days. If the pain around the surgery site persists for up to 8 to 10 days, seek urgent dental care.
What to Do Next?
All in all, there are five vital signs of infection after a root canal that you need to look out for. In case of a dental abscess, or unbearable toothache, visit your dentist immediately. In most cases, the surgery site is carefully inspected to locate the bacteria causing the trouble. Once the cause of infection is found, you most probably will have to get a root canal treatment. For more information, contact SIMA Dental at (281) 457-6444 today.