The Root Canal: It’s Importance To You
Though alternative treatments exist for teeth that have not reached an advanced level of decay or destruction, something there is no other choice but for a dentist to recommend a root canal to their patients. This happens when the decay goes down into the pulp of the tooth, which will not repair itself no matter how much time it is given. Without treatment, the patient opens themselves up to the possibility of infection and abscess, which is nothing to mess around with. To prevent this from happening, the root canal will be performed.
The first step on the road to the root canal will be a visit to the dentist, at which time he will perform X-rays to see what is happening beneath the surface of the tooth. If infected, the procedure will likely be required. At that time, the dentist will usually give the patient some numbing solution. Though many people speak of the procedure as painful, the pain doesn't come through while the dentist is actually working. Most patients won't feel a thing, save some mild pressure. The dentist will then drill into the tooth and remove the damaged pulp to prevent further infection and damage from occurring. A temporary filling will be put in place to protect the area until a permanent filling can be put in the next week.
If there is pain to the procedure, it usually comes after it is finished. It will be normal for the patient to experience sensitivity in the days following the procedure. Light pain medication can take the edge off the worst of this discomfort. Obviously, it is a good idea to chew in such a way that food doesn't come into contact with the sensitive area. Drinking through straws and smoking cigarettes can also cause the inflammation to worsen, so many dentists will recommend avoiding these activities for a while after the procedure.
If you have been experiencing pain or discomfort in your teeth, it is imperative that you get to a dentist as soon as possible. An undiagnosed and untreated pulp infection can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and a myriad of other problems you don't want to deal with. Any infections can lead to fever, sickness, and other issues as well. Get your teeth checked out, eliminate problems, and find out what treatment you need to get back to your regular scheduled oral health routine. A root canal is no one's idea of a good time, but it is almost always better than the alternative.
The first step on the road to the root canal will be a visit to the dentist, at which time he will perform X-rays to see what is happening beneath the surface of the tooth. If infected, the procedure will likely be required. At that time, the dentist will usually give the patient some numbing solution. Though many people speak of the procedure as painful, the pain doesn't come through while the dentist is actually working. Most patients won't feel a thing, save some mild pressure. The dentist will then drill into the tooth and remove the damaged pulp to prevent further infection and damage from occurring. A temporary filling will be put in place to protect the area until a permanent filling can be put in the next week.
If there is pain to the procedure, it usually comes after it is finished. It will be normal for the patient to experience sensitivity in the days following the procedure. Light pain medication can take the edge off the worst of this discomfort. Obviously, it is a good idea to chew in such a way that food doesn't come into contact with the sensitive area. Drinking through straws and smoking cigarettes can also cause the inflammation to worsen, so many dentists will recommend avoiding these activities for a while after the procedure.
If you have been experiencing pain or discomfort in your teeth, it is imperative that you get to a dentist as soon as possible. An undiagnosed and untreated pulp infection can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and a myriad of other problems you don't want to deal with. Any infections can lead to fever, sickness, and other issues as well. Get your teeth checked out, eliminate problems, and find out what treatment you need to get back to your regular scheduled oral health routine. A root canal is no one's idea of a good time, but it is almost always better than the alternative.
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