What Is a Root Canal Treatment? Dental Infection Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Explained
Root canal treatments are used when you have an infected tooth. Although the procedure is well known, it’s often misunderstood.
If you’ve been told you may need a root canal treatment, it’s natural to feel a sense of worry. You’ll also probably have lots of questions floating around your head, and not understanding what the procedure involves can increase your doubts and fears.
You may ask, “Why do I need a root canal?” “Is there any other option besides the root canal treatment?” and “How can I prevent infections from ever occurring in the future?”
This guide explains the causes and symptoms of your infection, how we treat it, and how to take care of your smile to avoid needing a root canal treatment in years to come.
How Do Teeth Become Infected?
The outer surface of your teeth is made from tough enamel. Although it’s the hardest material found anywhere in the human body, it’s not indestructible. Damage through injury or trauma can leave you susceptible to infection, as can cavities caused by plaque and acid erosion.
When a hole develops in a tooth, bacteria can enter. Eventually, the bacteria will reach an inner chamber filled with “dental pulp.”. The pulp is a combination of living cells and nerve endings. As the bacteria reach the core, tissues become inflamed while your body fights the infection.
This infection needs to be treated quickly. Not only will you experience severe discomfort, but the infection could spread to other areas of your mouth and even move onto your vital organs.
What Are the Symptoms of Infection?
The most noticeable symptom of infection is toothache. The swelling inside the tooth can press against nerve endings, leaving you with a constant throbbing or shooting pain around the area.
You may also notice swelling and redness in your cheeks and gums, a bitter taste, bad breath, and your tooth may appear grey or black. Pus may also form around the root of your tooth. This is called an abscess and is a sign that the infection is spreading.
If you notice any of these symptoms, booking an appointment as soon as possible is essential. The earlier we can treat you, the better.
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal treatment, also known as an endodontic treatment, removes dental infections from the inside of a tooth. Although it might sound scary, this routine procedure has a high success rate, and we manage your comfort with anaesthetic.
During the procedure, we’ll sanitise the inside of your tooth and fill the inside of your tooth before closing it. We may recommend adding a porcelain crown to your tooth to protect it from future infections.
Are Root Canal Treatments Painful?
People often associate root canal treatments with pain and discomfort. They may even tell you how bad the process is. The truth is that root canal treatments are no different from any other procedure. In reality, the pain people associate with root canals has more to do with the discomfort from the infection.
We use the latest innovative technology and techniques to maximise comfort and ensure results. Before we begin, we’ll provide you with a local anaesthetic that alleviates pain.
Once the treatment is complete, you should immediately notice that the toothache that initially caused you concern has gone.
How Can I Avoid Infections?
Prevention is always better than the cure, so it’s important to pay attention to the health of your teeth. Some of the ways you can minimise the risk of infection include:
- Thorough brushing morning and night
- Using fluoride toothpaste
- Changing your toothbrush regularly
- Flossing and using mouthwash
- Visiting us for regular checkups
- Attending regular hygiene appointments
- Avoiding excessive sugar in your diet
General Dental Care in Cheshire
Damaged teeth can become infected, but a root canal treatment will restore your smile to full health. The caring and experienced dental team at LUME are here to get you looking and feeling your best.
