You have probably seen root canals portrayed as dreadful and miserable procedures in many cartoons and other comedic media. While these depictions can certainly be quite funny, they are not true to life since real root canals are completely safe and painless. Here’s a brief overview of why receiving a root canal is always the best decision if your dentist recommends the procedure.
Root Canals Kill Toothaches
A severe, throbbing toothache is a miserable oral health problem that is probably indicative of an advanced dental infection, and it will not get better without the assistance of a qualified dental professional. Root canals eliminate these agonizing infections at their source by removing decayed enamel and pulp from the tooth, which can bring an immediate end to a horrible toothache. While you may experience some soreness afterward, it will be temporary, easily manageable with over-the-counter pain medicine, and far preferable to a continuing toothache.
Root Canals Save Teeth
Severely infected teeth can spread their decay to the gums and the other teeth, which can lead to a host of terrible oral health issues like extensive tooth loss. A root canal can stop the progress of this sort of infection in its tracks and save the afflicted tooth from needing extraction or falling out on its own. After your root canal, your tooth will receive a beautiful crown to restore its structure and appearance.
Root Canals Preserve Your Overall Health
Tooth loss can make it difficult to properly process many tough and crunchy foods like fresh meat, nuts, and raw fruits and veggies. This can limit a person’s diet and lead to overall health issues like indigestion and malnutrition. Untreated dental infections may lead to serious secondary infections in other parts of the body like pneumonia and sepsis, so a root canal can save you from much physical suffering as well as the expense of an emergency room visit.
Don’t let a toothache lead to serious consequences for your oral and overall health. If your dentist recommends a root canal, you can rest assured that it is the best option for the health of your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Rick Cofer earned his dental degree at the Baylor School of Dentistry and takes more than forty hours of continuing education coursework every year. He takes great pride in helping the Waco community maintain beautiful, healthy, and comfortable smiles, and he proudly provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry such as root canals. If you suspect that you have an oral infection, contact his office online or dial (254) 732-0309.