Root canals tend to have a bad reputation. Many patients believe that they are invasive, painful, or completely unnecessary. Here is a closer look at just a few of the reasons that scheduling your root canal sooner rather than later might be a good idea.
1. Avoid an Extraction
Getting a tooth extracted should be seen as the last resort after a tooth has become severely damaged. While restorative options such as implants are quite effective, the process of extracting a tooth and then implanting a false tooth requires a lengthy recovery time and enough money. Fixing internal damage with a root canal is a permanent solution that requires almost no downtime. Those who fail to address tooth damage immediately might lose their window of opportunity to have a root canal carried out.
2. Put an End to Your Pain
While our teeth are incredibly resilient, damage can happen for a wide variety of reasons. Some patients crack a tooth while playing sports while others will develop dental caries from improper oral hygiene habits. Once the damage is below the enamel or near the roots, many patients will experience intense tooth pain. During a root canal at a clinic in your area, the pulp of the tooth will be removed, and patients will have almost immediate pain relief. This procedure can also help with extreme sensitivity due to damaged or worn teeth.
3. Prevent Further Damage
A human’s mouth is home to an incredible amount of bacteria. Luckily, most of this bacteria is not harmful and actually helps us digest food. When a tooth is severely damaged, however, the bacteria can infect the pulp and cause pain. If a root canal is not carried out immediately, the infection can spread to nearby soft tissue and cause even more problems. A root canal will stop these problems at their source and could preserve a patient’s gums, teeth, and jaw.
4. Maintain Your Natural Bite Pattern
Having a healthy bite pattern is more important than you might think. In addition to helping you eat and speak comfortably, the position of your teeth actually protects their enamel. When a tooth is lost or must be extracted, the nearby teeth will begin to shift toward the opening. This can cause problems with one’s bite pattern and will increase their risk chips and cracks.
Root canals are an excellent option for quickly and permanently treating severe damage without the need for extractions, implants, or dentures.
