I have a toothache that comes and goes. It’s been going on for two or three months now. I haven’t done anything about it yet but my dentist says that I need a root canal. I thought I just needed a new filling. Within the past two weeks I’ve noticed dizziness with certain movements. It doesn’t happen all of the time but it is very noticeable when it does happen. Could the toothache be causing the dizziness? Denise
Denise – Your dentist likely recommended the root canal because your tooth is infected. An infected tooth and abscess can cause you to feel lightheaded and use your balance. This is a result of an infection that has spread and begun to affect the nerves of the ears, which affects your balance.
Make an appointment with your dentist. He or she will prescribe an antibiotic for the infection as a temporary measure until you receive the root canal treatment. An infection that goes untreated will continue to spread and cause more health problems.
Many patients delay root canal treatment because they have heard stories about how painful the procedure is, or how the root canal treatment went bad. The treatment can be relatively pain free. Your dentist will prepare your gums and teeth to help you feel little or no pain at all.
It is best to promptly seek treatment to stop the infection.
This blog post is courtesy of Lowell Dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.