From a young age we are conditioned to hate visiting the dentist office. With all of the whirring machines, shots and pain associated with the office it is not surprising that most of us dread sitting in the dentist chair.
Although we dread seeing the dentist, it is important that we do. With the average American's diet having an abundance of sugar, carbohydrates and acid our teeth take a beating every day.
We all know that we have to brush and floss regularly, but even if we are following this regiment the majority of us run into problems with our teeth. If you are starting to feel pain in a specific tooth go see a dentist.
Pain in a tooth can be the result of many different problems. If you let the pain in a tooth go untreated for too long it can turn into serious problems.
One of the results of letting a tooth go untreated for too long is decay or the nerve and of the gum. If your tooth begins to decay in the nerve you will need a root canal as soon as possible.
Some people think that dentists recommend root canals just so that they can make more money. Although this is a logical argument and can be argued, it is important to realize that there are times in which a root canal is absolutely necessary.
If the gums around a specific tooth are tender or swollen consistently or you begin to feel that an adjacent tooth is also sore you may be in need of a root canal. You should be wary of a tooth if it has a history of hurting or being sore.
Your doctor may find a problem with the root of your tooth in an x-ray even if you have not felt any pain in that tooth. There are times when a root canal is necessary without you being in any pain.
If your doctor suggests a root canal and you have not had any pain in the tooth, ask to see the x-ray. You will want your doctor to be able to identify the problem in the root of the tooth on the x-ray.
You may want to get a second opinion first. If you take the x-ray to another dentist and they agree that the nerve has been damaged or is decaying then you will want to go ahead and get the procedure done.
The root canal is done to fix a tooth and save it from rotting. During this procedure the dentist will remove the nerve and the pulp from the inside of the tooth, clean the empty area in the tooth and then seal the tooth.
The root canal itself is the area inside the tooth where the pulp of the tooth and the nerve in the tooth reside. This area of the tooth is very sensitive and if it is not taken care of properly can be very painful.
If this nerve, the tissue surrounding the nerve or even the pulp is damaged the healthy tissues will break down and leave a prime breeding space for bacteria. An abscessed tooth is a common result of not getting the deterioration inside a tooth taken care of.
An abscess occurs when the bacteria spreads past the tip of the root of the tooth and into the innermost part of your gums. If you have an abscessed tooth you will feel the pain associated with it.
Some of the symptoms of an abscessed tooth are swelling that spreads throughout the face, neck or head or even a small hole on the side of the gums or the tooth. This hole is a result of your tooth trying to drain improperly.
Dentists are able to quickly identify an abscessed tooth and will recommend that you get a root canal as soon as possible. Root canals have come a long way since the procedure was first developed.
If you need a root canal you will go to your dentist's office and they will first numb your mouth. It may take more than one shot to numb your mouth but this is absolutely necessary before they start drilling.
The dentists will then drill a small hole in the side of the tooth and clean out the tooth thoroughly. The teeth are cleaned out as the dentist inserts scrubbing files into the root canal.
After rinsing the tooth out with either water or a medication the dentist will completely dry the tooth and then insert a sealant into the freshly cleaned canal.
Author Resource:-
Tommy Greene is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and was adentist Brooklyn. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 13 years.
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