Throughout your life, you will find that teeth problems will eventually come up. When this happens, your dentist may have a few different procedures he/she can resort to in case of damage to your teeth.
One of the most common procedures is called a root canal. This procedure is done in cases where you want to try to save your damaged tooth. There are a couple of reasons why you might have to get a root canal.
Typical Reasons for a Root Canal
While the list of reasons for getting a root canal is long, there are some common reasons why you may have to get one done. Look for some of these signs and symptoms to know if there could be more wrong with your teeth than you realize:
- Discolored tooth/teeth – You will notice that sometimes a tooth or teeth may become discolored. They will appear to be darker than the rest of your teeth.
- Gums becoming tender – If you see that your gums are become swollen and tender, it might be time to get a root canal.
- Exposed roots – Your roots are what hold your teeth in place. If a tooth becomes decayed to the point where the roots are exposed, the procedure must be done.
- Extreme pain – There may be times when you get extreme pain in part of your mouth. This could be the result of damage from within the affected tooth or teeth.
- Infection – You could have hidden tooth damage that is causing an infection throughout your mouth and body.
- Growing cavities – The normal cavity is small enough to be filled with just a cover. If the cavity grows it can cause more damage resulting in a root canal.
The Root Canal Procedure
Getting a root canal can seem like a frightening experience. The truth of the matter is most of the time, it has the same typical pain level as getting a filling.
The procedure is an easy one to explain:
- The damaged nerves and pulp are first removed from the teeth with the damage.
- After the teeth have been emptied out, they are filled to ensure that they hold together after the procedure is finished.
A root canal can be extremely beneficial and provide relief for people who suffer from extreme pain from damaged teeth. It can be done by almost any dentist including your local one. So, you will not have to travel far to get it done.
Your teeth are one of the most important parts of your body. If your teeth are damaged, this can cause a whole host of symptoms. In fact, death can even occur from tooth infections. The best thing you can do is check with your local dentist. He/she can determine if you have a problem that needs getting a root canal.
You should always have information readily available about your dental habits and problems for your dentist. This can help her/him determine if you are having a problem that would require the root canal.
Many people are intimidated by the dentist. Yet, the truth is, dentists are crucial to happy and healthy oral health.