One of the earliest warning signs that a root canal treatment may be needed is spontaneous tooth pain, particularly with a throbbing sensation that can mean a root canal infection. Don’t confuse this with tooth sensitivity, which is usually triggered by heat or cold. This can be due to cracked dentine or worn tooth enamel, too thin to protect sensitive tooth pulp against temperature changes.

Here are the three main signs that you have an infected root canal:

• Tooth pain that becomes more severe under the slightest pressure, even chewing soft foods;
• Tooth sensitivity that reacts painfully to hot and cold drinks and foods, even they are removed from the mouth;
• Inflamed gums around painful or sensitive teeth, often swollen and sometimes with a pimple-like head.

Don’t delay! These symptoms get worse over time, as the infection spreads. Save yourself time, money and pain by contacting a root canal dentist, as soon as you notice any of these symptoms.