Although there is no surefire way to completely prevent any possibility of needing root canal therapy, there are some steps that you can take to make it less likely that you’ll have to undergo this less-than-desired dental procedure.
Root Canal Therapy Procedures
Root canals become necessary when there is an infection or decaying tissue deep within the structure of the tooth, affecting the root of the tooth, or the pulp chamber, as well as the root canals. During the procedure, the dentist removes any infected, decayed or diseased pulp from the tooth and then cleans out the chamber and canals before sealing them. This is done to stop any further infection or decay which can lead to pain, swelling and the potential loss of the tooth, as well as the possibility of serious infection. Once this is completed, the tooth is weakened, so the dentist typically covers it with a dental crown to protect and strengthen the tooth.
The best way to prevent the need for this procedure is to take good care of your teeth and to visit your dentist routinely. This ensures that any potential small problem is identified before it turns into a more serious problem that may result in the need for this more involved procedure. Since the only way that the center pulp of the tooth can become badly decayed or infected is if the tooth itself is somehow compromised due to a cavity, chip, crack or other stressor on the tooth, identifying any potential issues early on in the cycle can halt the escalation of decay or stress that can result in the need for a root canal.
For starters, you want to follow a strict oral hygiene regimen. This can be done by brushing at least twice per day and flossing daily. You should also try to avoid any activities that place stress on the teeth, which can result in tiny fissures or cracks that can allow bacteria to get into the tooth and can cause infection. This means if you grind your teeth, you may need to wear a night guard or other apparatus to reduce the pressure placed on the surface of the tooth. If you play contact sports, you will want to wear a protective mouth guard to prevent damage to the teeth, and so on.
You’ll also want to visit your dentist on a regular basis for preventative appointments and a thorough dental cleaning. Most dentists recommend that these appointments occur every six months, but there are instances where a dentist may feel it’s necessary to space the visits out closer together. During these appointments, your dentist will check the health of your teeth and gums to determine if there is any decay forming, and if so, will recommend that you have a procedure to replace the decay with a dental filling. Most people refer to this as having a cavity filled.
At your routine dental appointments, the dentist will also identify any cracks, chips and stress on the tooth and will provide you with options to consider in order to better ensure that any damage does not make you more susceptible to infection or decay deep within the tooth that can result in the need for a root canal procedure.
For more information about root canal procedures, contact Park Dental Care in Queens at 718-274-1515.
