Swollen gums and a long-lasting toothache that just won’t go away may be signs that you have a badly decayed or infected tooth. If this describes your situation, you may need root canal treatment from Martinez Family Dental.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that’s performed when a tooth’s dental pulp becomes damaged or its nerve becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, a root canal dentist removes the nerve and pulp, enabling the inside of your tooth to be cleaned and sealed – eliminating the tooth infection and root canal pain altogether.

Are Root Canals Painful?

Contrary to popular belief, root canals are not painful. In fact, most people report that having a root canal is no more painful than simply getting a tooth filled. What’s more, the pain and discomfort from living with an infected tooth is typically far greater than the root canal procedure itself, which effectively removes the problem once and for all.

Root Canal Symptoms

It’s not always easy to know if you need a root canal procedure and sometimes no symptoms are present. However, some common signs that you may need a root canal include:

• Severe toothache pain when chewing or applying pressure
• Prolonged sensitivity or pain to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed)
• Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
• Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums
• Recurring or persistent pimple on the gums

If you notice any of the root canal symptoms above, we strongly encourage you to make an appointment for a dental examination as soon as possible. Through X-rays and other specialized tests, the dental experts at Martinez Family Dental can identify and relieve your tooth pain.

To determine if you need a root canal, please contact Martinez Family Dental to make an appointment.

When you have infected tissues surrounding your teeth, a common cause is gum disease. If left untreated in adults, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, and some studies even link severe gum disease (also called periodontal disease) with heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Gum Disease Symptoms

Gum disease is painless and can often go undiscovered; however, there are highly noticeable gum disease symptoms including:

• Tender, red or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed easily and regularly
• Gums that have receded from your teeth
• Visible white spots or plaque on your gums
• Mouth sores
• Loosening or separating teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste
• Noticeable change in your bite

If you have any of the gum disease warning signs above, we urge you to make a dentist appointment. Martinez Family Dental can diagnose and treat mild to severe gum disease with a variety of methods.

Fillings repair minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay or otherwise damaged surfaces of teeth. When treating a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of your tooth and fill it with another substance — that’s why we call it a “filling”. There are multiple options for the material to be used in the filling, the most common of which are composite fillings and amalgam fillings.

Composite Fillings

A composite filling is also known as a tooth colored filling, since the material used in the filling can be closely matched to the color of your teeth. Composite fillings provide good durability for small to medium cavities. They are also particularly well suited for treating front or highly visible teeth because of their natural look. These fillings usually last about five years.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings, also known as silver-colored fillings, are made from a combination of metals such as tin, copper, silver and mercury. This combination of metals gives amalgam its renowned strength and durability. These fillings usually last between 10 – 15 years compared to composite fillings. As an added benefit, amalgam fillings are typically more cost effective than composite white fillings.

For more detailed information on fillings, take look at this site.

 

Every day, patients of all ages experience the accumulation of plaque on their teeth. Plaque is a film-like substance filled with damaging bacteria. It can be easily cleaned away by simply brushing and flossing, but if it’s left in place too long, it can harden into tartar, which is not so easily removed. At Martinez Family Dental, a thorough cleaning with one of our hygienists will get rid of these dangerous areas, leaving your mouth feeling refreshed and your smile looking better than ever. They can also provide instructions for how to better care for your oral health at home. Please contact our office today if you have any questions, or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment!