3 Reasons You May Need a Root Canal
The root canal gets a bad rap. Many people associate it with a very painful experience that should be avoided at all costs. While no dental procedure is a walk in the park, root canals are an incredibly useful procedure and in most cases pain is very minimal or non-existent. What can actually become more painful is avoiding the dentist because you think you may need a root canal.
If you’re having any type of pain in your tooth then you should call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 right away to make an appointment. We’ll assess your oral health and let you know what your options are. If a root canal is the answer, it can be a very effective one. Read on to learn more about three common reasons people need root canals.
What is a root canal?
Before we discuss the three most common reasons that you may need a root canal, let’s discuss what it actually is. First, consider that in the middle of each of your teeth is a bit of very small tissue. This is called the pulp. It looks almost like thread and if it becomes damaged, it’s incapable of repairing itself. This is when a root canal is needed. Your dental professional goes in, removes this pulp, and fills the tooth. You say goodbye to the pain and your tooth is much better for it.
- Your tooth has become injured
- You have a deep cavity
- The tooth has been cracked
If you injure your tooth, the pulp can easily become injured as well. This doesn’t have to involve a crack or actual break in your tooth. A simple hard impact that just makes you see stars for a moment could injure your tooth. If you have any type of injury that you suspect may have affected your teeth, then it’s important to get to your California dentist as soon as possible.
A simple cavity can typically be filled. However, sometimes very deep cavities can occur and they may require a root canal. This can be because a person waited a long time to go to the dentist after they knew they might have a cavity, or simply because the cavity was on a part of their tooth that was hard to see and they didn’t know. While most cavities are painful, not all are.
A crack in the tooth can lead to bacteria getting into the root of the tooth. This can lead to all sorts of trouble, including infection that requires a root canal. This is not something to “wait and see” about. If your tooth has cracked then we hope you’ll contact California Dental Group as soon as possible.
Not getting a root canal can be a serious mistake
Remember that if you don’t go to the dentist when the pulp is damaged or infected, then you could have serious issues. For example, the infection can grow inside your jawbone until an abscess forms. If this isn’t treated then the bone around your teeth could actually be destroyed. This is just one reason to call (800) 407-0161 if you suspect you have any type of oral health issue.
