Toothaches are the worst. When experiencing a toothache, it can affect you in everything you do. In some cases, the pain can be so severe that it can leave you quasi-paralyzed. You will not be able to function effectively when this happens.

What could possibly be worse than experiencing a terrible toothache? Yes, you guessed it right: experiencing a toothache immediately before a trip or worse, during a trip to your dream destination. The fun and pleasure of globetrotting will not be the same as long as the pain in your mouth subsists.

So what is the wisest move to make when this happens to you? Schedule a trip to the endodontist immediately. Address the problem before it ruins your whole trip. If need be, schedule a tooth extraction or a root canal right away.

Root canals are probably one of the most feared dental procedures out there. This is not just because they have been perceived as one of the more painful procedures, but also because of the financial constraints an in unexpected root canal can cause you, especially if you have no dental coverage as part of your travel insurance policy.

So when is the right time to go visit a dentist or an endodontist? If the thought of having to do a web search for “endodontist near me” while traveling gives you a headache, keep reading to find out about the telltale signs that a visit to the endodontist is necessary — before it ruins your trip.

SYMPTOM #1: Severe Pain

Feeling pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong, that something has exceeded its limits and that we are out of equilibrium. Feeling pain in your tooth is not normal and should not be ignored. Ignoring the pain can only aggravate the problem. The agony of pain can be shortened if the root cause of it is immediately addressed. This symptom can be most severe whenever pressure is exerted on the infected tooth. However, pain can also be felt even while your mouth is at rest.

SYMPTOM #2: Excessive Tooth Sensitivity

Since teeth can usually be quite sensitive, this symptom can be missed. However, intense and excessive tooth sensitivity can mean that something is off about your tooth health. The wisest move is to go and have your mouth checked by a dentist or endodontist to determine the cause of this excessive sensitivity.

However, if your tooth needs a root canal, the tooth sensitivity can be characterized by lingering pain. The tooth sensitivity you experience when your tooth is a possible candidate for root canal is lingering in the sense that it stays there long after the cold or hot drink or food have been consumed. This is because of the infection in the pulp of your tooth, and the nerve responsible for recovering from this sensitivity is probably dead.

SYMPTOM #3: Gum Swelling

While not all cases of gum swelling necessarily call for a root canal surgery, gum swelling is one of the distinguishing signs of infection in the tooth near the affected area. Since swelling in the mouth and gums are not usual, it can easily be detected. A tender boil or pimple-like bump can appear near the front of the tip of the tooth. This swelling, if not addressed immediately, can last for a long time; it can stay there for a couple of weeks or months.

Needing to visit an endodontist for immediate relief from a toothache is a nightmare, even more so when you’re in a foreign country. But if you’re concerned about being able to afford it without insurance, fret not. There are actually many endodontists who are very flexible in terms of payment, and some even offer no-interest installment plans to ensure your next journey isn’t cut short by dental pain.