Tooth pain can disrupt your daily life. It affects how and what you can eat, your ability to sleep, and no doubt, your mood.
At First Impressions Dental, we understand that dental discomfort creates distress. The good news is that our modern root canal treatment is nothing to fear, regardless of the bad reputation root canal therapy has received over the years.
Let’s explore the common signs that might indicate you need a root canal and why prompt action matters.
1. Persistent Pain
Does your tooth hurt when you chew or apply pressure? Pain that lingers for days isn’t normal. This persistent discomfort often signals an infection deep within your tooth.
Some patients describe it as a dull ache. Others experience sharp, intense pain. Either way, think of it as your tooth asking for help.
2. Temperature Sensitivity
Wincing when sipping hot coffee? Feeling a zing with cold drinks? Brief sensitivity is common. But when that feeling lingers long after the temperature change, it may indicate nerve damage.
This heightened sensitivity often points to issues that a root canal treatment can address.
3. Gum Changes
Keep an eye on your gums. Healthy gums shouldn’t feel tender or appear unusually dark. Swelling, tenderness, or a small bump near a painful tooth are important clues. That bump might be what dentists call a “dental abscess”, a pocket of infection.
4. Tooth Discolouration
Has one tooth darkened compared to the others? This change often happens when the tooth’s internal tissue becomes damaged. This could indicate that the tooth is no longer receiving proper blood flow.
5. Cracked or Chipped Tooth
Accidents happen. Even a small crack can expose your tooth’s nerves to bacteria. What begins as a minor injury can develop into a deeper infection requiring root canal therapy.

Why Timing Matters
Dental infections don’t resolve on their own. They typically worsen without proper care. What starts as a treatable issue can progress to:
- Severe pain that disrupts sleep
- Spread of infection to surrounding teeth
- Potential bone loss around the affected area
- More complex and costly treatments later
The First Impressions Difference
At our Perth dental clinics, we prioritise your comfort. Our experienced team use modern techniques that make root canals comfortable and efficient. Many patients are surprised by how painless the procedure actually is. Our gentle approach puts dental anxiety to rest.
Next Steps
Notice any of these warning signs? Don’t wait for the pain to become unbearable. Contact your nearest First Impressions Dental clinic in Perth.
We offer FREE consultations to assess your situation. With multiple convenient locations across Perth and South West WA, expert care is never far away.
Remember, saving your natural tooth is always the best option when possible. Modern root canal therapy allows us to preserve your smile while eliminating pain.
Your comfort is our priority.
Related post: What You Need to Know About Root Canal Treatment