What Is a Root Canal and How to Know You Need One?

We all might have experienced toothaches at some point in our life. But let’s be real – not every tooth pain feels the same. While some happen due to mild injury or from munching on hard foods, some can be annoyingly painful. If you experience the latter, an underlying issue might be behind this. Ignoring this only worsens the problem. So what’s the solution you may ask?

One of the most effective solutions to tooth pain comes in the form of root canal treatment. It simply removes the infected pulp inside the tooth and protects you from the pain of tooth decay or infection. Simple, no? 

Let’s get to know the signs that say you need a root canal treatment:

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that targets the infected or damaged pulp inside a tooth and focuses on removing it. Delaying the treatment can lead to dead teeth and complicate the situation. Let’s find out the different steps involved in this treatment:

• Cleaning of the root canals to get rid of the infection-causing bacteria.
• Filling a clean space to stop the further spread of infections.
• Sealing the tooth at the final step to regain its regular function.

When Do You Need a Root Canal?

While the root canal process sounds simple, the steps involved in it can be intimidating. So it’s best to recognize early signs of infected teeth pulp to avoid complications. Common signs that say you need a root canal are:

• Persistent tooth pain. It worsens during chewing.
• Swollen gums near the affected tooth
• Changing the color of teeth

Causes of Tooth Pulp Damage

While root canals can reverse pulp damage, being aware of what leads to this oral concern helps prevent dental issues. Possible causes behind dental pulp damage include:

• Deep cavities or untreated tooth decay
• Cracks or chips that expose the pulp
• Trauma to the tooth from injury

The Root Canal Procedure

Modern root canals are straightforward and minimally invasive. Ready to explore what the steps include? Let’s check them out:

• Numbing the infected area for pain-free therapy
• Removing infected pulp and cleaning the canals
• Filling and sealing the operated tooth or surgery site to prevent further damage

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

There’s no denying the fact that it offers multiple advantages such as:

• Saves your natural tooth from being extracted
• Restores normal chewing and biting
• Protects your oral health by addressing tooth decay or damage early.

What Happens After a Root Canal?

Once your root canal treatment is over, you can expect minimal downtime during the recovery. Follow these tips to ensure quick healing after the surgery:

• Take prescribed medications
• Avoid hard foods for a few days
• Maintain good oral hygiene. Be gentle during the brushing and flossing routine.
• Schedule follow-up visits for any necessary crown placement

Root canals are amazing in addressing severe tooth decay or infection, and save your natural teeth. However, the best way to keep the level of dental damage at the lowest is not to ignore the early signs ( like pain or sensitivity) of dental cavities or oral concerns. Want more information on this? Schedule a consultation with us today.