What you need to know about Root Canals:
OH, that scary sound of "You need a Root Canal!" sends shivers down your spine, doesn't it?
But what IS the Root Canal procedure?
Root canal treatments
Also known as root canal therapy/endodontic therapy, root canal treatment is a dental treatment for removing infection from inside a tooth. It can also protect the tooth from future infections. Such a procedure is made necessary when a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to the tooth's pulp. Mind you, regular cleanings and checkups detect and prevent problems early! Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point that it needs a root canal therapy. Once this occurs, the pulp becomes infected and the infection can extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone, which is called an abscess. By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated and cannot heal on its own.
You MUST know that just One infected tooth can weaken the entire immune system. This is a dangerous condition, not to mention very painful. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup. A root canal treatment is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown are recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.
Prevention
To prevent infections, tooth decay, and gum disease, Our dentist recommends:
brushing teeth last thing at bedtime and at least one other time each day
using the right toothpaste (we consult you at your appointment)
using a suitable toothbrush and replacing it regularly
attending regular dental checkups and cleanings
flossing to clean between the teeth and prevent the buildup of plaque
avoiding sugary drinks and foods, and following a healthy diet.
Although scary sounding and painful, this is a very important pain-relieving procedure and our staff is incredibly skilled to make your experience comfortable and, most importantly, beneficial to your dental health!
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