Did you know that from 1999 to 2004, about 4% of US adults aged 20 to 64 no longer had any of their natural teeth? By 2016, however, this rate of “edentulism” has dropped by half. Meaning, only 2% of adults in this age group were edentulous.
That’s good news, as it indicates that more people are holding on to their pearly whites.
One of the primary reasons for this improvement is root canal treatment. With the help of a root canal specialist, patients get to keep their natural teeth.
The question now is, how exactly can a specialist who does root canals save your teeth and your smile?
We’ll get to the bottom of this question below, so be sure to read on.
A Root Canal Specialist Can Save Severely Decayed Teeth
Did you know that there are as many as 700 species of bacteria that live in the oral cavity? Some of these are beneficial, helping the mouth generate saliva. However, many others are the bad kind that causes teeth decay and gum disease.
Once a tooth starts to decay, the bacteria can keep “drilling” onto its structure. Left untreated, these microorganisms can reach the pulp of the tooth. The “pulp” is the soft tissue that sits inside the root canal.
When the pulp gets infected or swollen, it can result in toothaches or abscesses. Abscesses, in turn, are pockets of pus that can cause even more pain and inflammation.
The longer the teeth remain untreated, the more severe the aches and swelling. Moreover, the cavity can further damage the tooth, chipping away at its structure. From here, it won’t be long before the teeth become mobile or “wiggly.”
The thing is, teeth that become loose are at a greater risk of becoming detached. Even the slightest pressure can finally make them come loose and fall out.
According to a post by this root canal dentist, a root canal treatment gets rid of bacteria in an infected tooth. This, in turn, stops the decay from progressing. It also helps avert the infection from recurring and causing further damage or pain.
As such, early root canal treatment ensures that you don’t have to say goodbye to your pearly whites. You only have to get the infected teeth treated but not extracted.
A Root Canal Procedure Fights off Infection and Pain
Most cases of bacterial infection in root canals result in inflammation. Inflamed tooth structures, in turn, can become very sensitive and often painful. The swelling may also irritate nearby nerves, causing more pain.
Dental abscesses can also cause further inflammation and irritation.
All these can then make you feel extreme or even debilitating pain. At the very least, it can cause tooth sensitivities, which also affect about 40 million people in the US.
Now, keep in mind that in a root canal procedure, the endodontist gets rid of bacteria infecting the tooth. The innermost parts of the affected tooth also get deep-cleaned and disinfected. If there’s an abscess, the dentist also clears that out.
After this, the root canal specialist applies a sealant over the treated tooth. This protects it from future bacterial attacks and infections. In this way, the sealant also helps reinforce the teeth and prevent reinfections.
Once your teeth become free of infection, the swelling will also go down. At the same time, you’ll feel less and less pain until you don’t feel any unpleasant sensation at all.
A Root Canal Treatment Gives You Back Your Chewing Power
The pain of an inflamed or infected root canal often gets worse when you bite or chew. This can then put a damper on an otherwise enjoyable, nutritious meal. You may even lose your appetite or, worse, resort to eating just very soft foods.
These changes to your diet can then affect your nutrition. At the same time, nutritional deficiencies can set you up for even more oral health problems.
That’s why it’s best that you see an endodontist as soon as you feel toothaches or sensitivities. This way, the root canal specialist can determine if you need a root canal treatment. If you do, undergoing the procedure can then help you regain your chewing abilities.
A Root Canal Therapy Can Prevent Further Tooth Stains
One of the signs of an infected root canal is tooth discoloration. The infection can cause the affected tooth to become darker or develop a brownish tint. The longer the infection remains untreated, the worse the staining can get.
Depending on how severe the root canal infection is, an endodontist may be able to get rid of the stains too. However, time is of the essence here, as the discoloration can become permanent if left on the tooth for too long.
Endodontists Can Dampen the Discomfort With Anesthesia
Today’s dental technologies allow for more comfortable root canal treatments. For example, endodontists use anesthetics to numb the mouth during root canal treatment. Depending on your pain tolerance, you may feel little to no discomfort at all.
If you are highly sensitive to pain, be sure to let the root canal specialist know before the procedure. This way, the specialist can adjust the amount of anesthesia to give you prior to the treatment.
One more thing: your treated tooth may feel a bit sensitive for a few days after the procedure. However, the endodontist will prescribe medications to help control the pain. Just make sure you follow the dentist’s post-treatment instructions to a T.
Save Your Teeth and Smile With Root Canal Treatment
There you have it, everything you need to know about how a root canal specialist can help save your teeth and smile. The most important thing here is to consult an endodontist ASAP if you think you have a dental infection. This way, the specialist can determine if you’re a good candidate for a root canal treatment.
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