It can be disconcerting to learn that you need a root canal. The idea of having someone perform any procedure on the teeth can produce anxiety in many people; all the more so if you know nothing about what will happen. If armed with knowledge about how this procedure works, and if you’re aware of how it can help you maintain oral health, you’ll be more confident about sitting in your root canal dentist’s chair.
If you’re looking for genuine information about this treatment, you would have to sift through dozens of misleading articles containing potentially dangerous information. Here are common myths about tooth pain and root canals that you read online.
Myth #1: A root canal treatment is painful
A root canal procedure works toward relieving tooth pain. Your teeth hurt when there is decay; it’s from the progressive and destructive work of bacteria. If left alone, decay can reach the root of a tooth and cause an infection. Using modern dental technology and sedation dentistry, your dentist can ensure that getting a root canal feels as painless as a filling.
Myth#2: You only need a root canal when there is pain
Teeth that have died can sometimes cause no pain. However, it does not mean that they can’t become infected. A root canal includes procedures like percussion or temperature testing. These allow your root canal dentist to find out whether or not a tooth has died and needs this treatment.
Myth#3: Your root canal therapy won’t last
A root canal will benefit you for a long time. In the short term, it relieves toothaches and helps preserve the affected tooth. Treatments can last for an indefinite period; it depends on the quality of your aftercare.
Also, your root canal will last if you have a well-made and fitted crown. With excellent at-home oral health practices and regular visits to your dentist, you can make your root canal last for decades.
Myth #4: Having a root canal can make you sick
In the 1920s, Dr. Weston A. Price, a Cleveland dentist, disseminated research that tooth extractions are the better option to prevent tooth decay. This is a myth, and Dr. Price’s research has since been debunked, but his ideas persist today.
In reality, extractions are among the most traumatic treatments. In contrast, a root canal is safe, effective, and acts as a preventive measure. They eliminate bacteria from the infected roots, which improves your overall health.
Myth #5: It is better to have a tooth extraction
Related to myth #4 is the last one, which maintains that extractions are the less harmful alternative to dealing with infections. When you get an extraction, you introduce harmful bacteria into the bloodstream, which could bring even more complications. What’s more, there are no natural replacements for teeth. Going for a root canal allows you to keep your natural tooth and costs much less.
Conclusion
Root canals are among the most popular dental procedures, and there are plenty of anecdotal reports about them online. However, not everything on the Internet is accurate. It is good to consult an experienced dentist before you commit to any procedure.
Have your dental treatments at Ivy Rose Family Dentistry. We provide family dentistry in Mansfield, TX, offering a range of treatments from root canals to cosmetic dentistry and more. Make an appointment today or get in touch with us to learn more.
