April 10, 2019

Root Canals Don’t Have to Be Scary

I know you may be in doubt, but really, root canals don’t have to be scary! First of all, a root canal is when a dentist removes the infected pulp from your tooth to save your mouth. The procedure requires your dentist to drill into your tooth, and it tends to hurt afterward, which is why it has a reputation for being uncomfortable. Many people avoid this as much as they can, but an infected tooth left untreated can cause some serious problems. Let’s talk about how you can prevent your teeth from becoming infected, how the root canal process is done, and why you should go to Marquette Dentistry.

How Can I Prevent My Teeth From Getting Infected?

Take care of your teeth!

Infection is a fairly common problem. It is very uncomfortable and leads to more issues, so let’s discuss how you can prevent it.

Brush and floss every day: Keeping your teeth clean is the first step. Make sure you brush twice a day and floss at least once. This way, food stuck in your teeth isn’t causing you an infection.

Avoid hard foods: Such as candies, and if you have especially weak teeth, carrots and apples. Eating them can crack your teeth.

Avoid acidic drinks and foods: Acidic substances break down the enamel in your teeth and saturate your tooth in sugar. Bacteria feed on this.

See your dentist regularly: Make sure you are getting treatment and care regularly. Your dentist can prevent small issues from becoming big ones. Report any tooth pain.

Now that we know how to prevent issues, what happens if you have an infected tooth anyway?

Root Canals Don’t Have to Be Scary

The pulp inside your tooth will be infected

A root canal is a treatment that is used to repair and save an infected or decayed tooth. The nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. The pulp is the soft tissue inside your tooth that contains blood, vessels, and nerves. It lies in a canal underneath your tooths crown, or the top exposed part of your tooth. A root canal treatment aims to save your tooth rather than totally extract it, since removing teeth can weaken your jaw. Your dentist will next place a porcelain, acrylic, or gold crown over your tooth. This will protect the inside of your tooth.

Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and you may have abscesses form. Your face may swell, bone loss can occur at the root tip, and it could spread into your other teeth. After you have a root canal, your teeth will be useable for years. Like anything, they may decay or fracture over time if proper treatment is not given.

Don’t be afraid. This treatment is safe, necessary, and your dentist will do the most to prevent you from feeling too much pain. Before doing anything, they will numb your tooth and surrounding gums.

Marquette Dental Will Give You The Treatment You Need

At Marquette, our qualified dentists and their assistants will make you as comfortable as possible. We provide you with financing options, expertly done procedures, and wonderful customer service. Marquette wants to treat you like you are family.

If you’d like to speak to a qualified professional, contact Marquette Dentistry by calling (832) 786-4406 or visit their website here.