Root canal treatment is considered to be one of the most painful dental procedures, thanks to all the stories and hearsay that are perpetuated. However, root canal treatment is relatively painless thanks to the use of local anaesthesia that is administered during the procedure. Also, dentists prescribe pain control medicines which have to be taken before / after the treatment. Now that the myths associated with root canal treatment have been busted, let us find out more about what it entails.

What is root canal treatment?
If a tooth gets infected and becomes extremely sensitive, then it is likely that it would have to undergo a root canal treatment. Today root canal treatments are very common as opposed to having the tooth extracted, as no one would like to lose their teeth.

The root canal treatment involves cleaning the infected teeth. The dentist – in order to cure the infection and save the tooth – drills into the pulp chamber, removes the infected pulp and then drills out the nerve out of the root canal. The dentist tries to ensure that the pulp extraction procedure is as painless as possible by making the area near the afflicted tooth numb through the use of a local anaesthesia. Once all the damaged tissues are taken out, the tooth is cleaned up and disinfected. This helps in preventing further infection. Following this, the dentist fills the root canals with inert material and seals up the opening.

When does one need to undergo root canal treatment?
Only a dentist’s examination can determine if one needs a root canal treatment or not. However, here are some of the symptoms that might indicate root canal treatment:

• A tooth is causing pain or has a history of being painful.
• You experience swelling or tenderness in an area adjacent to a tooth.
• You experience a throbbing pain and an increased sensitivity to heat, cold and the pressure of chewing.

What are the precautions to be taken following the root canal treatment?
Following the root canal treatment, you would experience some discomfort, especially when chewing. You can reduce this discomfort by taking medication as recommended. If the dentist prescribes you antibiotics, continue to take them for the indicated time period, even if the symptoms are gone.
To reduce the pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm water and salt. Also avoid sticky foods (chewing gum), hard foods. Also whenever possible, chew on the opposite side of the mouth. Lastly, continue to brush and floss normally.

In the event that the root canal treatment is unable to provide the desired results and the tissues surrounding the tooth continue to be inflamed, then the tooth might require extraction.

Coral Dental Care is a dental practice in Salem, Massachusetts. It offers finest dental treatment on root canal, cavities, white tooth fillings, teeth whitening, Invisalign and other dental problems.