Are you experiencing a lot of pain in your teeth and think you might need a trip to the dentist? We can help you take care of your dental pain whether it is a minor cavity or major damage to your teeth. Root canals are often needed in instances of a lot of pain and damage to the tooth.
The following will discuss when you might need a root canal, how the procedure is done, and how to prevent needing another root canal in the future. When you are ready, please call our office right away to set up an appointment.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
Did you know that over 15 million root canals are performed annually? This is a serious issue for a lot of people. You might not immediately know what your tooth pain means. Here are some symptoms that indicate that you need a root canal.
You have pain that is persistent. If over the counter pain killers do not really help your tooth pain and you are reaching for them multiple times over several days, that is a huge indication that you need a root canal. The persistent pain can show that this is a deep issue in your tooth.
When your root rots out, you might also experience symptoms like a discolored tooth, loosening of your tooth, or swelling in the surrounding gums.
If you believe that your tooth’s root has been infected and has begun to rot, you should reach out to our office right away.
How Are Root Canals Performed?
You may have heard that root canals are terrible, but with modern technology, root canals are no more painful than it would be to get a filling deep in your tooth.
The procedure essentially goes into the part of the tooth that is dead and removes the bits that are causing you pain.
Your dentist will numb you so that you do not feel the work being done. It does take a little bit longer than a cavity would.
Once the bits of the root that are dead have been removed, you will get the spot filled by your dentist.
Prevent Root Canals in the Future
Getting checked by a dentist once or twice a year is going to greatly decrease your chances of needing future root canals.
Having great oral hygiene at home will also keep your tooth root from rotting. You should be brushing your teeth twice a day or after each meal. Flossing daily will also play an important role in preventing the need for a root canal.
If you do get a cavity, have it filled right away. If you leave a cavity untreated, it can result in your tooth’s root rotting. This will eventually lead to you needing a root canal.
If you grind your teeth at night, you are at risk of breaking your teeth which might eventually lead to root canals in your future. Having a night guard fitted to your teeth can help you avoid that damage.
Call Our Amherst Dentist Today
If you want to know more about root canals or need to get your teeth looked at by a dentist, please give us a call today. We offer free consultations!
