Signs of an Infected Tooth Pulp You Shouldn't Ignore

Inside every tooth is a hollow center containing soft tissue called 'pulp.' This pulp is full of nerves and blood vessels. When a deep cavity or crack allows bacteria to reach this sanctuary, the pulp becomes inflamed and eventually infected.

Once the pulp is infected, it cannot heal on its own. Ignoring the signs can lead to a dangerous abscess or tooth loss. Here are the key symptoms that indicate you might need a root canal.

It's normal for teeth to be sensitive for a moment when you drink ice water. However, if you feel a sharp pain that *lingers* for seconds or minutes after the hot or cold source is removed, this is a classic sign of irreversible pulp damage.

Does your tooth start hurting when you're just sitting on the couch or trying to sleep? Pain that occurs without any trigger (like chewing or temperature) is a red flag that the nerve is dying.

If you feel a sharp jolt or severe tenderness when you chew or tap on a specific tooth, the infection may have spread from the pulp into the bone at the tip of the root.

If a single tooth starts to look gray or dark yellow compared to those around it, it may indicate that the nerve inside has died and the tooth is 'bruised' from the inside out.

Look at your gums near the painful tooth. Is there a raised, red bump? This is often a fistula (or sinus tract), which acts like a drain for the pus from an abscess. It might taste bad or release fluid. This requires immediate attention.

If you notice any of these signs, don't wait for the pain to become unbearable. Antibiotics alone will not fix the problem; they only temporarily suppress the infection. A root canal is necessary to physically remove the bacteria and save your tooth.