Think You Might Need A Root Canal?
We're all the same. For many of us, amongst the things we least like to do will be 'going to the dentist.' When it's for a big procedure such as root canal, you can feel a little anxious about having to book yourself in, and may wonder whether it's just better to pretend it's going to fix itself without having to go.
However, dentists now have many skills and tools at their disposal (not to mention better pain relief drugs!) to help you feel a lot happier about the whole procedure. You'll be able to save your tooth, save your smile and prevent the decay from the rotten tooth spreading to any others.
The reason dentists will suggest a root canal is when the nerve of your tooth has become diseased by decay. This can cause the root to slowly rot away the inside of your tooth, until one day your tooth just crumbles away. It can also impact other teeth in the mouth as all the nerves are connected. You may not be aware that there is a problem until the nerve becomes infected. This can cause a lot of pain. However, the nerve can also sometimes die without there being any pain. This leaves a hole inside your tooth, making it easier for decay to step in. The dentist needs to give the inside of the tooth a good clean and fill the now empty space with filler.
While it can happen without pain, pain is a good indicator that something is wrong. As well as extreme pain, which normally makes us run for the phone to arrange a dentist appointment, you can also sometimes feel extra sensitive when eating hot or cold food, or sometimes feel a twinge when biting into something. If you notice one of your teeth becoming discoloured, or the gums around it becoming swollen it's also a warning signal that it needs to be looked at.
It's very easy to try and forget to check the tooth out when the pain has gone. However, it's always a good idea to double check. Sometimes a tooth will flare up, then look like its better. The next time it flares up it might be due to an abscess or other side effects of infection including a temperature and a swollen cheek. When you think about all the things that might happen if you leave your tooth untreated, a root canal starts to look like the very best option.
However, dentists now have many skills and tools at their disposal (not to mention better pain relief drugs!) to help you feel a lot happier about the whole procedure. You'll be able to save your tooth, save your smile and prevent the decay from the rotten tooth spreading to any others.
The reason dentists will suggest a root canal is when the nerve of your tooth has become diseased by decay. This can cause the root to slowly rot away the inside of your tooth, until one day your tooth just crumbles away. It can also impact other teeth in the mouth as all the nerves are connected. You may not be aware that there is a problem until the nerve becomes infected. This can cause a lot of pain. However, the nerve can also sometimes die without there being any pain. This leaves a hole inside your tooth, making it easier for decay to step in. The dentist needs to give the inside of the tooth a good clean and fill the now empty space with filler.
While it can happen without pain, pain is a good indicator that something is wrong. As well as extreme pain, which normally makes us run for the phone to arrange a dentist appointment, you can also sometimes feel extra sensitive when eating hot or cold food, or sometimes feel a twinge when biting into something. If you notice one of your teeth becoming discoloured, or the gums around it becoming swollen it's also a warning signal that it needs to be looked at.
It's very easy to try and forget to check the tooth out when the pain has gone. However, it's always a good idea to double check. Sometimes a tooth will flare up, then look like its better. The next time it flares up it might be due to an abscess or other side effects of infection including a temperature and a swollen cheek. When you think about all the things that might happen if you leave your tooth untreated, a root canal starts to look like the very best option.