Root canals are often necessary when a tooth becomes decays or damaged through an accident, or if there are issues from a previous filling. But, many root canals can be prevented with proper care and caution.
Furthermore, If you are in a situation where your teeth are at high risk, it may be best to avoid a root canal.
Root canals have become a lot less feared since the introduction of modern anesthesia techniques. These days, root canals are often performed under local anesthesia, meaning you won’t feel any pain at all.
If you’re worried about the risks associated with root canals, talk to your dentist first. He or she will be able to explain what procedures are available and tell you whether a root canal might be right for you.
The Process
Your dentist will first numb the area around the tooth using a topical anesthetic. Next, they will remove any debris that might interfere with the cleaning process.
Then, they will carefully examine the tooth and its surroundings. If there is decay inside the tooth, they will drill out the decayed portion.
After drilling, they will clean the area thoroughly. Finally, they will fill the empty space with a filling material.
If you struggle with dental anxiety, your dentist may recommend IV sedation. You’ll receive medication through an IV line that will help you relax.
During the procedure, you may also be given oxygen via nasal cannula.Dental dams are used before any kind of dental treatment.
A rubber dam is put around the area of your teeth to keep them dry while you’re getting your treatment done. You’ll need an access hole in the top of your tooth to get to the nerve, blood vessels and tissue inside.
Once you’ve got all the pulpal debris out, tiny tools will be used to clean the canals. After that, they’ll be filled with a soft, rubbery substance called gutta-perchia.
Root canals aren’t always necessary, though before you go down that path, let’s consider some ways to avoid the necessity altogether.
Teeth Maintenance
There are many different ways to prevent problems in your mouth. Brushing and flossing should always be done first thing in the morning and before bedtime.
You can also chew sugarless gum. Chewing helps remove plaque buildup. Use an interdental cleaner if you need to remove stubborn food particles.
Rinsing with water alone will not get rid of all bacteria so suing a medicated mouthwash is advisable.
Avoid Certain Food/Drinks
Sugary foods stick to your teeth and leave behind plaque, which contains harmful bacteria. When you bite down on sugary foods, small cracks form in your teeth, allowing bacteria to enter the cavity.
These cavities can then become infected, causing pain and other problems.
Sugary drinks like soda and juice can also harm your teeth? Citrus fruits contain acids that can damage your teeth. Sugar in fruit juices also feeds the bacteria that cause cavities.
Sparkling water can erode your teeth because it contains carbonic acid. Wine and beer can be acidic too, which can damage your tooth enamel.
If you drink alcohol, rinse your mouth with water after each beverage to keep the acidity down!
Mouthguards
As we mentioned earlier, trauma is one of the leading causes for toothaches. If you’re playing sports, don’t forget to wear a mouth guard.
Mouthguards can prevent your teeth from getting cracked or knocked out, so don’t skip wearing one if you’re involved with any active sporting activities.
In addition, if you grind your teeth at nighttime, wear a mouthguard because that can cause serious damage to your teeth.
Speak to your dentist about having one made to fit your mouth, so you won’t have to worry about damaging your teeth through grinding.
Regular Dentist Appointments
Your teeth aren’t going to fall apart overnight. Decay has a process that can be hard to notice on your own.
Regular checkups and cleanings will help your dentist spot any issues early on, so that you can avoid expensive treatments like root canals and extractions.
If you do experience pain, you must see a dentist because ignoring it could lead to an even worse problem down the line.
Alternatives
Root canal therapy is still the gold standard for treating infected teeth. But there are other ways to treat tooth infections that are less invasive and less painful.
One of them is called pulpotomy. Pulpotomy is a simple procedure where the pulp inside the tooth is removed and then treated with a special compound.
Then the tooth is sealed back together again. This treatment is usually done when the infection cannot be cured with antibiotics.
There are several different compounds available to seal the tooth. Some of them are made out of natural ingredients and others are synthetic.
It is thought that 80% of people who require root canals are candidates to get the procedure done instead. However, most dentists aren’t aware of the procedure and there isn’t enough evidence to prove its effectiveness.
The new product will prevent the spread of infections and bacteria if used properly.
Instead of removing the nerve inside the tooth and filling the empty space with an inert material, the exposed nerve area can be covered with a thin layer of resin.
This resin forms a hermetic seal that covers the entire nerve. Unlike other types of dental restorations, the resin does not require any type of adhesive to hold it in place.
Root canal procedures are becoming less frequent because of advances in dental technology. There is also a lot of controversy about whether or not the procedure actually improves oral health.
Some dentists say that root canals aren’t necessary at all. Others say that they should be performed routinely, time will tell as to which opinion is most popular.
In Summary
Going to the dentist isn’t most people’s favourite pastime but it’s important to look after teeth for a pain free mouth. With the right care, it’s possible to avoid root canals altogether.
He has combined both of these skills to create his first company, Isopharm Limited, which became one of the top learning platforms within the dental industry.
With over 120,000 active users, he has been able to educate others in order to provide better dental care around the world.
With his expertise and work in the field, Andrew has been able to help many dental care professionals succeed in treating their patients.
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