This year, when your family is sharing the things they are thankful for from the previous year, we doubt anyone is going to say, “Getting a root canal.”
In our society, root canals have become synonymous with something bad that you have to endure. We don’t think that’s fair — to you or to the root canal procedure.
At Sierra Dental Care, we can give you a painless treatment while ending the problem that caused you to need a root canal in the first place.
If you have a toothache, then you should call (209) 575-2400 if you live in or near Modesto, CA. Keep reading to learn why a root canal may be one of the best things you could do for yourself.
Root Canals Shouldn’t Be Painful
There was a time when root canals could be an unpleasant experience. But they don’t have to be anymore, especially if you come to a modern dental practice like Sierra Dental Care.
At a minimum, you will receive a local anesthetic. This will numb your infected tooth and the surrounding tissue so you won’t feel a thing during your treatment.
If you want great assurance that you will remain pain-free during the procedure, we also provide free nitrous oxide for our patients. Medical and dental professionals have used nitrous oxide (or “laughing gas”) for more than 150 years for good reason.
First, nitrous oxide takes effect quickly. After we place a mask over your nose, you only need to inhale the gas for a few minutes before you feel its calming, soothing, and pain-blocking effects.
Second, nitrous oxide will keep you relaxed until your root canal is complete.
And third, when we are finished, we turn off the gas. Within minutes, you will return to feeling like yourself.
Root Canal Treatments Relieve Your Pain
As worried as many people are that root canals will be painful, it’s more true that root canals will alleviate the pain that you are experiencing.
Root canals are performed to remove infected tissue from a tooth. These infections are what cause toothaches and jaw and face pain in some instances.
And how do teeth get infected? Bacteria.
You have bacteria in your mouth all the time. Some of them are helpful. Other bacteria cause gum disease and tooth decay. And both of those problems can lead to tooth infections.
By getting a root canal treatment, you will be removing the infection. Then, after your tooth has been cleaned and sanitized, it will be refilled with a special material that helps it maintain its shape.
The final step is sealing the tooth with either a dental crown or a dental filling. After you recover, your tooth will look and function as well as it did before your infection.
How Teeth Infections Develop
As gum disease gets worse, pockets can form between your gums and teeth. This can allow bacteria to form plaque on the roots of your teeth. This keeps bacteria close to your tooth. As a result, they can eat into your roots.
The problem gets worse when bacteria reach the root canals. These are the openings in your teeth where blood vessels and nerves enter the tooth.
The root canals also contain a soft connective tissue called pulp. When bacteria reaches the pulp, it can become infected. This can cause inflammation and the pain of a toothache.
Tooth decay is another way that bacteria can reach the innermost parts of your tooth. As decay spreads through layers of enamel and dentin, it can reach the pulp chamber.
Broken and cracked teeth can be equally problematic. If a break or crack is deep, it can expose inner layers of your tooth to bacteria. Even if the crack does not reach the pulp chamber, it still gives bacteria a head start when it comes to reaching the pulp chamber.
This is a big part of the reason we encourage patients to visit Sierra Dental Care for routine care and to replace broken and cracked teeth as soon as possible. Treating gum disease and tooth decay early or repairing damaged teeth often can prevent your teeth from becoming infected, so you won’t need a root canal treatment in the first place.
We Want To Save Your Smile
Don’t let a toothache ruin your day. Visit our dentist office if you live in or near Modesto, CA, to get a root canal or to take action so you don’t need one.
To request an appointment, call (209) 575-2400 or contact us online.