{"id":185,"date":"2024-01-30T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drgeorgesalem.com\/blog\/?p=185"},"modified":"2024-03-19T19:32:04","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T19:32:04","slug":"how-do-i-know-if-i-need-a-root-canal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drgeorgesalem.com\/blog\/2024\/01\/30\/how-do-i-know-if-i-need-a-root-canal\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I know if I need a root canal?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tooth decay affects everyone, with studies reporting that 92% of adults have had a cavity at one point in their lifetime. In more serious instances of tooth decay, however, the nerve of the tooth may become infected. This type of infection requires a root canal, in which the affected nerve is removed, and the interior of the tooth is cleaned and filled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Tooth Anatomy<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although each tooth is covered by a hard outer shell, the interior of a tooth consists of dental pulp. This pulp is soft, containing blood vessels that bring nutrients to the tooth. Each tooth also has an associated nerve, which resides within a root canal passing from the tooth\u2019s root into the dental pulp. This nerve provides information about temperature, allowing teeth to sense heat or cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of Nerve Infection<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damage to the dental pulp or nerve tissue leads to a rapid multiplication of bacteria within the interior of the tooth. The result may be an abscess, a small pocket near the root of the tooth that becomes full of pus. This infected area commonly causes the following symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n