Root Canal: Everything You Need To Know
At De Necker Dentistry we know that having a root canal done may seem to be like the worst procedure, but sometimes it is the only way to save a tooth and avoid extraction. In the following we give you a breakdown of what a root canal involves, the symptoms you might experience and how to prevent having this procedure done.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is the the dental procedure that cleans out the decay in your tooth’s pulp and root.Your teeth have an enamel layer, a second layer of dentin, and a soft inside core that extends into the root in your jawbone. The core contains the dental pulp, which consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When decay gets into the soft core, the pulp can become inflamed or infected, or even dead. A root canal is necessary to clean out this decay.
The Procedure Explained
A root canal procedure is quite literally the cleaning out of the decay and preserving the infected tooth. During a root canal procedure, your dentist will:
Remove bacteria and decay from the tooth pulp, root, and nerve
Disinfect the area using antibiotics
Fill the empty roots
Seal the area preventing new decay
The root canal treatment leaves your natural tooth in place and prevents further decay. It does however, leave the tooth more fragile and for this reason a root canal is usually covered with a crown.
Warning Signs
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned below it is vital that you visit come in for a visit as soon as possible. The sooner we are able to treat you at De Necker Dentistry the better the outcome will be.
1. Persistent pain
Persistent tooth pain is one of the earliest indications that you may need a root canal. The pain will either be remittent or persistent. You may feel the pain deep in the bone of your tooth. Or you may feel pain in your face, jaw, or in your other teeth. There are of course other causes of tooth pain but no matter what the cause, it’s a good idea to visit us if you’re experiencing persistent pain.
2. Sensitivity to hot and cold
If your tooth hurts when you eat or drink something hot or cold, it may be an indication that the blood vessels and nerves in your tooth are infected or damaged.
3. Tooth discolouration
An infection in the pulp of your tooth can cause your tooth to become discoloured. The breakdown of the internal tissue can damage the roots and give the tooth a grey-black appearance. Tooth discolouration can have other causes, as always it is a good idea to visit us if you notice that a tooth is changing colour.
4. Swollen gums
Swollen gums near the painful tooth can be a sign of an issue that requires a root canal. The swelling may come and go. It may or may not be tender to the touch. The swelling is caused by acidic waste products of dead pulp tissues, which may lead to swelling outside the root tip area. You may also have what looks like a little pimple on your gum. This is called a gum boil or abscess. The abscess may ooze pus from the infection in the tooth and may cause bad breath and leave and unsavoury taste in your mouth.
5. Painful to the touch
If your tooth is sensitive when you touch it or when you eat, it could indicate severe tooth decay or nerve damage, which may need to be treated with a root canal. This is especially the case if the sensitivity persists over time and doesn’t go away when you stop eating. The ligament around the root tip of an infected tooth may become hypersensitive from the pulp dying. The waste products from the dying pulp may irritate the ligament, causing pain from biting down on the tooth.
6. Tooth mobility
When your tooth is infected, it may feel loose. This can be caused by other factors besides nerve death, but it can be a sign that a root canal is necessary. Acidic waste products from nerve death can soften the bone around the root of a dying tooth, causing it to move. If more than one tooth feels loose, it is likely that there may be another underlying issue and you should definitely pay us a visit.
Does a root canal hurt?
A root canal procedure sounds scary, but with today’s technology, it’s typically not that different than having a deep filling. There’s little to no pain because your dentist will use local anaesthesia to numb your tooth and gums so you’re comfortable during the procedure.
If you need a root canal and have facial swelling or a fever, your dentist may give you antibiotics beforehand to kill the infection. This may also help reduce your pain.
The root canal procedure itself is similar to getting a large filling, but it’ll take longer. Your mouth will be numbed while the dentist cleans out the decay, disinfects the roots, and then fills them in. Your dentist will use a rubber dam around the root canal tooth. This will help prevent any infected material from spreading to the rest of your mouth.
How to prevent a root canal
To prevent a root canal, it’s important to follow the same dental hygiene habits that help prevent cavities and other teeth issues. To keep your teeth healthy, try to get into the habit of following these steps:
Have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist at least once a year.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Floss between your teeth at least once a day.
Use fluoride toothpaste or a fluoride rinse.
Try to limit the amount of sugary food and refined carbohydrates you eat. These foods have a tendency to stick to your teeth.
See your dentist for checkups every 6 months.
At De Necker Dentistry we offer our patients with the best dental care. Having a root canal is never a pleasant procedure but we will ensure that it is as painless as possible and we promise that you will feel better soon after. There are a number of factors that you need to be aware of that could indicate the need for a root canal but there are a few preventative measures you can take to avoid this procedure, like visiting us regularly. For all your dental needs book an appointment today.
