Don’t Lose An Infected Tooth!
If a cavity is ignored, or a serious damage to a tooth untreated, then an infection could eventually develop. Along with severe discomfort, you could also lose the tooth completely, or need to have it extracted to protect the rest of your smile. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist explains how treating infection with a root canal could help protect your smile’s health and stability.
The Causes and Risks of Infected Teeth
Our teeth are composed of three major portions. The very center is the pulp, which controls the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth, keeping it functional. Around this is dentin, which makes up most of the structure and is soft. The outermost layer is enamel, the hardest substance in the human body and the layer that protects the tooth. An infection occurs when bacteria is able to move past the enamel and dentin and make contact with the pulp. This could happen as a result of an untreated cavity or injury to the tooth. Warning signs could include pain when you bite down or eat, tooth sensitivity and toothaches, swelling near the source of the discomfort, or a discharge from the tooth itself. If you experience one or more of these signs, let us know right away. Unless treated, this could mean tooth loss and the spread of infection!
Root Canal Therapy
The procedure to treat infection and restore health and beauty to the tooth begins with the administration of local anesthesia or possibly sedation, ensuring you remain calm and comfortable. We then open the tooth itself in order to reach and extract the infected tissues from within. We replace these tissues with a special restorative filling, all before capping the tooth with a crown. The restoration will be crafted to blend with your smile and offer a durable chewing surface as well. The procedure could be completed in as little as one visit, protecting the stability of your smile.
Protecting the Rest of Your Smile
How do you avoid issues like decay or infection in the first place? We suggest starting with daily care, such as brushing and flossing and cutting back on sugary foods and drinks. Be sure you visit our team every six months for a checkup and cleaning too. These actions help safeguard teeth from cavities and infections, and also fight bad breath and teeth stains too!
Ready to Address Your Aching Tooth?
We don’t want to see a decayed tooth lead to an unsightly gap in your smile, which is why the team at Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX offers root canal therapy. Contact our office at (281) 592-1234 to schedule your appointment today. With endodontic care and other restorative treatments, we can help preserve your smile.