What are the Symptoms of a Root Canal vs. Cavity?!?

[breezy1077]

I've never had either (and I'm almost 40), but I suspect I have my first cavity in.....my front tooth?!? WTH?

I've had sensitivity in my front tooth for about a week now, and I can see a little tiny dark spot on the front surface. I know I need to call the dentist Monday, but....

A cavity scares me enough - I've never had one, but what if it needs a (gasp!) root canal?

Very worried! Thoughts or experiences?

 

[JR6ooo4]

700 to 1000 percent higher bill!!!

mikeeee

 

[creativeamanda]

I've never had either (and I'm almost 40), but I suspect I have my first cavity in.....my front tooth?!? WTH?

I've had sensitivity in my front tooth for about a week now, and I can see a little tiny dark spot on the front surface. I know I need to call the dentist Monday, but....

A cavity scares me enough - I've never had one, but what if it needs a (gasp!) root canal?

Very worried! Thoughts or experiences?

Usually a root canal is needed when there is death in the tooth. (I think). You would probably have an infection and a foul odor. That being said, I've had to have one root canal. It was not bad. Awake for the whole thing and drove 1.5 hours home. Felt much better during and after the procedure.

 

[breezy1077]

Usually a root canal is needed when there is death in the tooth. (I think). You would probably have an infection and a foul odor. That being said, I've had to have one root canal. It was not bad. Awake for the whole thing and drove 1.5 hours home. Felt much better during and after the procedure.

Do you think it sounds like I need a root canal - it just started to bother me. No sign of infection or odor either so it sounds like I'm in the clear? I hope so, a cavity scares me enough.

 

[creativeamanda]

Do you think it sounds like I need a root canal - it just started to bother me. No sign of infection or odor either so it sounds like I'm in the clear? I hope so, a cavity scares me enough.

Probably isn't, but you need to go to the dentist ASAP and have it cared for before it becomes infected. I'll call my friend from church right now for you. He's in my Sunday School class and I need to talk to his wife anyway. He's my dentist and the only one I'd trust to take care of my kids' teeth. I'll get back with you.

 

[breezy1077]

Probably isn't, but you need to go to the dentist ASAP and have it cared for before it becomes infected. I'll call my friend from church right now for you. He's in my Sunday School class and I need to talk to his wife anyway. He's my dentist and the only one I'd trust to take care of my kids' teeth. I'll get back with you.

Thank you!! It's actually starting to hurt a little.

 

[creativeamanda]

Thank you!! It's actually starting to hurt a little.

He says it's hard to tell from my description, but it could go either way. He says cavities in the front teeth are common, though, and can cause pain. The fact that you have no foul odor is encouraging. He says you need to rinse out your mouth completely with salt water and take Motrin or some similar pain reliever and call the dentist first thing Monday to see if you can be seen on an emergency basis. I hope you can understand--I'm trying to type what he's telling me while he is telling me it.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Do you think it sounds like I need a root canal - it just started to bother me. No sign of infection or odor either so it sounds like I'm in the clear? I hope so, a cavity scares me enough.

if it is a tiny spot then it sounds like a little cavity. The only times I have needed a root canal is when there was a previous cavity and it became decayed underneath.

also teeth can become more sensitive with time...

Hopefully it will be a quick and painless treatment. I'm not sure if you know, but they have white filings so you don't have to worry about people seeing it.

Mikeeee

 

[breezy1077]

He says it's hard to tell from my description, but it could go either way. He says cavities in the front teeth are common, though, and can cause pain. The fact that you have no foul odor is encouraging. He says you need to rinse out your mouth completely with salt water and take Motrin or some similar pain reliever and call the dentist first thing Monday to see if you can be seen on an emergency basis. I hope you can understand--I'm trying to type what he's telling me while he is telling me it.

Thank you so much! I'll definately call first thing Monday. I feel like such a baby, but I've never had any experience with this before. A Big Thank You!!!

 

[creativeamanda]

He also said that if it just started hurting it is prob a cavity, but he'd have to see an XRay to be sure. (I told him, "Sure, I'll get out my Xray machine right now and take it to Ohio for you.")

 

[breezy1077]

if it is a tiny spot then it sounds like a little cavity. The only times I have needed a root canal is when there was a previous cavity and it became decayed underneath.

also teeth can become more sensitive with time...

Hopefully it will be a quick and painless treatment. I'm not sure if you know, but they have white filings so you don't have to worry about people seeing it.

Mikeeee

I hope so too. Thanks for the info - I never thought about anyone seeing the filling. So that's encouraging.

 

[breezy1077]

He also said that if it just started hurting it is prob a cavity, but he'd have to see an XRay to be sure. (I told him, "Sure, I'll get out my Xray machine right now and take it to Ohio for you.")

you can do that?!

 

[creativeamanda]

Thank you so much! I'll definately call first thing Monday. I feel like such a baby, but I've never had any experience with this before. A Big Thank You!!!

Think nothing of it. He's a nice guy and loves to help. I call him every so often and when he was caring for my MIL, he knew she go so nervous that he monitored her blood pressure from the moment she walked to the back until she left. Even if she was just having her teeth clean. She was terrified of the dentist and needed a lot of work. In her case, it took her twice the normal visits to have work done because he wasn't willing to risk her health to get it all done fast.

 

[breezy1077]

creativeamanda, if you see him tomorrow - give him a big thank you for me.