A Root Canal is a method in dentistry also known as “paying off the nerve”. In the Root Canal process the vascular nerve blocks inside the tooth causing enormous pain is extracted to avoid further suffering of a patient. With specialized equipment, teeth and gum area are cleaned achieving infection-free operation. Each patient’s tooth has a lot of blood vessels that expand forming a network of sensitive nerves. A root canal is usually a simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits to a dentist. Most patients report that having root canal treatment today is as unremarkable as getting a filling. The best news is that it can save your tooth and your smile!

What is a Root Canal Treatment?

Our participating dentists use a root canal procedure to save the damaged or dead pulp in the root canal of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. The soft tissue around the tooth contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment has given our participating dentists a safe way of saving teeth.

What is Dental pulp?

The space inside the root canals is filled with a highly vascularized, loose connective tissue, the dental pulp. The dental pulp is the tissue of which the dentin portion of the tooth is composed. The dental pulp helps complete formation of the secondary teeth (adult teeth) one to two years after eruption into the mouth. The dental pulp also nourishes and hydrates the tooth structure, making the tooth more resilient, less brittle and less prone to fracture from chewing hard foods. Additionally, the dental pulp provides a hot and cold sensory function. Root canal is also a colloquial term for a dental operation, endodontic therapy, wherein the pulp is cleaned out, the space disinfected and then filled.

Why do I need Root Canal Treatment?

The simple answer is because your tooth will not heal by itself. The infection will spread without treatment. The bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate and the tooth may fall out. Pain usually worsens until you are forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal treatment. If you have the choice, it’s always best to keep your original teeth.

1. Hard Candy – While hard candies can seem harmless, eat too many and the constant exposure to sugar can harm your teeth. Hard candies also put your teeth at risk for a broken or chipped tooth. A better alternative is chewing sugarless gum that carries the ADA Seal.
2. Ice – You’d be surprised at the amount of people that think ice is harmless. It’s made of water and doesn’t contain any sugar or other additives. However, chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage your enamel. Advice: Break the habit and enjoy water in its liquid form.
3. Citrus – The truth is that frequent exposures to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time. So even though a simple squeeze of a lemon or lime can turn a glass of water into a tasty beverage, it’s not always the best choice for your mouth. Citric fruits and juices can also irritate mouth sores. Make sure to drink plenty of plain water.
4. Coffee – In their natural form, coffee and tea can be healthy drink choices. Unfortunately too many people can’t resist adding sugar. Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth, and can stain your teeth. If you do choose to consume, make sure to drink plenty of water and try to keep the add-ons to a minimum.
5. Sticky Foods – Sticky Foods are your mouth’s worst nightmare. When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried foods at the top of their list. However, many dried foods are sticky, and sticky foods can damage your teeth since they stay on your teeth longer than other types of foods. If you do eat dried foods and trail mix often just be sure to rinse thoroughly with water and brush and floss your teeth carefully.
6. Crunchy Foods – Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying crunch of a potato chip? Unfortunately potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up.
7. Sodas – When you eat sugary foods or sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel (the hard surface of your tooth). Most soft drinks, including the diet sodas are acidic and therefore, bad for your teeth. These drinks also dry your mouth out. Follow soft drinks with water and that will greatly reduce the effects of the sodas.
8. Alcohol – Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth. People who drink excessively may find their saliva flow is reduced over time, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections such as gum disease. Heavy alcohol use also increases your risk for mouth cancer.
9. Sports Drinks – They sound healthy, don’t they? But for many sports and energy drinks, sugar is a top ingredient. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, while sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities, in most cases they are unnecessary. Before your next sip, check the label to make sure your drink of choice is low in sugar. Not sure? Drink water instead!