Do I Need a Root Canal? 7 Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore – By Pleasant Dental

 Let’s be honest—no one wants to hear the words “root canal.” It sounds scary, painful, and expensive, right? But here’s the truth: a root canal can actually save your tooth and relieve you from ongoing pain and infection. At Pleasant Dental, we see many patients who ignore symptoms for weeks or even months—only to end up needing more serious treatment later. That’s why we’re here to help you recognize the warning signs before things get worse.

So, if you’ve been asking yourself, “Do I need a root canal?”, here are 7 clear signs you really shouldn’t ignore.

1. Tooth Pain That Doesn’t Go Away

This is the biggest red flag.

A constant, throbbing pain in your tooth—especially if it lingers for hours or comes back again and again—could be a sign that the nerves inside your tooth are damaged or infected. This kind of deep pain usually won’t go away with just painkillers. If brushing, eating, or even breathing in cold air makes it worse, it’s time to see a dentist.

At Pleasant Dental, we can quickly check if the pain is related to an infection that needs a root canal.

2. Increased Sensitivity to Hot or Cold

Do you wince when sipping hot coffee or eating ice cream? If your teeth suddenly become super sensitive to temperature—and that sensitivity lingers—it may mean that the inner part of your tooth (called the pulp) is inflamed or infected.

Mild sensitivity is normal for some people, but if it’s new, sharp, or long-lasting, don’t ignore it.

3. Swollen or Tender Gums

Swelling around a specific tooth or area of your gums is another big warning sign. This can happen when an infection is spreading from the tooth to the surrounding tissues. You may also notice a small bump (like a pimple) on your gums. That bump is actually a sign that pus is trying to drain from an abscess.

If you see swelling, tenderness, or that little bump—please don’t wait. Come visit us at Pleasant Dental before it turns into something more serious.

4. Darkening or Discoloration of a Tooth

Have you noticed one tooth looking darker than the others?

A tooth that’s turning gray or black may have a dying nerve inside. This often happens after trauma, decay, or untreated cavities. A dead tooth can become infected if not treated soon—and usually requires a root canal to save it.

Our team can take a quick X-ray and let you know what’s going on under the surface.

5. Pain When You Chew or Touch the Tooth

If you feel a sharp pain when biting down, chewing, or even lightly touching the tooth, that’s a clear sign something isn’t right. This could be due to inflammation around the root or an infection putting pressure on the surrounding bone.

Many patients describe this pain as “deep” or “sharp,” and it tends to get worse over time.

The sooner you get it checked at Pleasant Dental, the more likely we can fix the issue without further damage.

6. Cracked or Chipped Tooth

Have you recently cracked or chipped a tooth while eating or playing sports?

Even if it doesn’t hurt much right away, a crack can expose the tooth’s inner layers to bacteria. Over time, this can lead to infection and eventually require a root canal. Sometimes the damage goes deep enough to affect the pulp right away—causing pain or sensitivity.

If you’ve had any kind of tooth injury, don’t wait until it hurts. Let us take a look and prevent future problems.

7. A Loose Tooth

Adult teeth should never feel loose.

If a tooth starts wiggling on its own and you didn’t injure it, that could be a sign of infection in the surrounding bone or tissues. Infections from the pulp can weaken the support structure around your tooth, making it feel loose. This almost always needs prompt dental treatment—and often a root canal to save the tooth.

At Pleasant Dental, we use gentle techniques and digital imaging to see exactly what’s happening under your gums.

What Happens If You Ignore These Signs?

We get it—life gets busy, and sometimes you just want to “wait and see” if the pain goes away. But here’s the problem: dental infections don’t fix themselves. If left untreated, they can:

• Spread to other teeth or the jaw

• Cause intense pain and swelling

• Lead to tooth loss

• Even affect your overall health

Root canals may sound scary, but with modern dental technology, they’re usually quick, painless, and a lot more comfortable than you’d expect. And they save your natural tooth—which is always better than getting it pulled.

How Pleasant Dental Can Help

If you’re noticing any of these symptoms—or even just feel “off” about a tooth—it’s better to be safe than sorry. At Pleasant Dental, our friendly team makes the process easy and stress-free. We’ll examine your tooth, take an X-ray if needed, and explain all your options clearly.

If you do need a root canal, you’ll be in gentle hands the whole way through.

Final Thoughts

So, back to the big question: Do you need a root canal?

If you’re dealing with:

• Persistent tooth pain

• Sensitivity that lingers

• Swollen gums or strange bumps

• Tooth discoloration

• Pain while chewing

• A cracked or chipped tooth

• Or a loose adult tooth…

Then yes—it’s time to call Pleasant Dental and get it checked out. The sooner you act, the easier it’ll be to treat.

Don’t wait for the pain to become unbearable. Let us help you smile again—pain-free.