Know The Root Canal Myths

Know The Myths That Are Associated With A Root Canal

Your teeth are meant to last as long as you live. Traditionally, infected or dead teeth were usually pulled. Thanks to advancements in modern dentistry, a tooth can often be saved through root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is performed when the pulp which is composed of nerves and blood vessels in the tooth becomes infected or damaged. During root canal therapy, the pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed with a dental crown.

Common Myths About A Root Canal

• Root Canals Are Painful: Not necessarily! Root canal therapy is used to stop the pain. Most patients who have root canal therapy admit they did not experience any pain during the appointment and felt better afterward.
• Root Canals Are Extensive and Require Several Appointments To Complete: Root canal therapy can be completed in one to two appointments. Factors that determine the number of appointments necessary to complete a root canal include the severity of the infection, and the location/difficulty of the root canal
• That Your Tooth Need To Hurt Before A Root Canal Is Necessary: Teeth that require root canal therapy are not always painful. In fact, teeth that are already dead may require root canal therapy to prevent the tooth from becoming infected. The fact that they are already dead, they will not be painful during your daily activities.
• Root Canal Therapy Will Cause Additional Sicknesses: The statement that bacteria trapped inside a root canal treated tooth will cause illness, such as heart disease, kidney disease or arthritis, is false. Bacteria can become trapped in the mouth at any time, not specifically from a root canal.

What To Know After Your Root Canal

After your root canal therapy, it is important to wait until the numbness in your mouth dissipates before eating so you don’t injure your cheek or tongue. Try not to chew or bite down on the affected tooth until it is fully restored with a dental crown to avoid damaging it. Remember to brush and floss daily as you normally would to keep the area clean and avoid infection.