Adults Have Many Options Today to Get Straighter Teeth

Everybody knows how to keep their teeth healthy; brush twice a day, floss regularly, and limit sugary foods and drinks. Even though these are simple tips to follow, it's all too easy to let good hygiene habits fall to the wayside. Unfortunately, the result of this is usually decay, and bad decay leads to more serious treatments, like root canals. If your dentist told you that you need a root canal, you're probably wondering what it's going to entail. With so much information out there about root canals it can be tough to distinguish the facts from the myths.

MYTH: If you don't feel pain, you must not have a root canal.

FACT: Root canals often don't cause any symptoms or pain. A root canal means the decay has gone so deep that certain parts of the tooth need to be removed, so it's no wonder why you would assume it's always painful. If you do have pain, it's most likely coming from an infection that the root canal is causing, and not the decayed tooth itself. This is why regular checkups at the dentist are so important; the longer a root canal goes untreated, the less likely the chance is that the dentist can save the tooth.

MYTH: You can skip root canal treatment because the tooth will need to be removed eventually.

FACT: Even though root canal treatment has a bad reputation, it's actually done so that the tooth can be saved and won't have to be removed in the future. The parts of the tooth that are removed during root canal treatment (the pulp and the nerve) are not essential to the health of your tooth, so your tooth can survive perfectly without them. With proper care, your restored tooth will last the rest of your life.

MYTH: Root canal treatment is always very painful.

FACT: Root canal treatment is painless because a local anesthetic will numb the decayed tooth and the surrounding area. Not only will the procedure be painless, but it will treat any pain you felt before the procedure. Since the nerve of the tooth will be removed, it will no longer be hyper sensitive to hot or cold. If you're anxious about the root canal, your dentist can give you nitrous oxide to calm you down before the procedure. 

Hearing you need a root canal is never ideal, but sorting out the myths from the facts can give you some peace of mind. Click here for more information.