You know the term and you’ve heard rumours about the horror related to a root canal. However, what is a root canal, what actually causes someone to need one, and how does a root canal procedure work? Let’s look at what leads to the causes of a root canal first.
The soft tissue inside the root inside a tooth can become infected or inflamed, and that is when endodontic treatment or a root canal is required. Some common causes are as follows:
Some of the causes are beyond your control, so it’s best to focus on the most important preventative measures: regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene.
The purpose of a root canal is to eliminate the infection from within the tooth. This is achieved by removing the pulp, nerve, and cleaning the inside of the tooth and sealing it to prevent future infection. The nerve is where bacteria builds up and leads to an abscess if it’s not treated. (Abscesses are very painful and dangerous, so you don’t want one).
Because the role of the nerve is to respond to taste sensations, removing the nerve of a tooth will not affect the way you eat but may affect your taste sensations.
Your diet is as important to your oral health as it is to your body’s. To minimize your risk of a root canal, you can take the following proactive steps.
What can you eat and how do you care for your teeth after a root canal? For most patients, the uncomfortable truth is that there will be some pain after you’ve had a root canal procedure. The main causes are usually inflammation and infection. Inflammation may occur when the root canal file has gone beyond the end of the root. Infection is common when the procedure triggers bacteria within the root. The most common source of pain is due to inflammation, not always in conjunction with infection. Once you’ve had a root canal procedure, it’s important to remember that now your tooth or teeth are ready to begin their healing journey. Your mouth will let you know what’s comfortable, but there are some simple guidelines for good aftercare.
Once you’ve had a root canal, you’ll probably be motivated to take better care of your teeth in the future. Hopefully, you will be encouraged to step-up your oral hygiene habits and get into the practice of flossing and brushing regularly. Be sure to maintain a regular appointment schedule with your dentist and be kind to your mouth and teeth by avoiding a lot of sugar and acid in the drinks and foods you consume.
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