Does Pain When Eating Mean You Need A Root Canal?
If you have pain when you eat and persistent aches in a tooth, then this could mean you have an infected tooth. Without treatment, this could lead to the loss of your tooth! In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about how we can treat aching, infected teeth with root canal therapy.
The Factors Behind Infected Teeth
A tooth becomes infected when harmful oral bacteria reach the pulp, the nerve center of the tooth. Typically, the pulp is protected by dentin and the outer enamel. But when a tooth is injured or damaged, this could compromise the enamel and expose the dentin to bacteria, leading to tooth decay that eventually spreads and reaches the pulp. You may then experience pain when you bite down, persistent sensitivity to toothaches, selling, facial aches, and even a discharge from the tooth. When you experience one or more of these potential symptoms, let us know right away so we can provide treatment with root canal therapy.
The Root Canal Procedure
The root canal is a safe and gentle endodontic treatment that our team will use to address the infection in your smile. To begin, our team will take detailed digital x-rays to pinpoint the position and severity of the infection. Next, we numb the tooth and for anxious patients, we can also offer sedation. When you’re comfortable. Our team will open the tooth and remove the tissues from within. We clean the interior of your tooth and add a restorative material known as gutta percha to the interior of your tooth. Finally, our team will cap the tooth with a durable and custom-made dental crown. The procedure ensures your tooth looks natural and is protected from injury or reinfection.
Keeping an Infected Tooth at Bay
To help keep your teeth strong and healthy, be sure you start and finish each day by brushing your teeth for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. You also need to floss before you brush the second time in the evening. Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks is helpful too, and you need to see us for routine checkup and cleaning visits, so we can monitor your smile and ensure your teeth are health and strong. If you have any questions about how we administer an endodontics treatment, or about the steps necessary to avoid infection altogether, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Endodontic Treatments
We want to make sure your smile is healthy and free of discomfort, so you can smile with confidence and enjoy a good quality of life. For more information on treating an infected tooth and preserving your smile, contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Stephens, by calling (281) 592-1234.