Have you thought about your gum health lately? Well, February is Gum Disease Awareness Month, so now’s the time! Read our blog post to learn more about gum disease, how you can spot it and prevent it.
New Year's Resolutions for Improving Your Smile
When Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
Root Canal Myths Debunked
If a tooth becomes damaged or infected, root canal therapy may be necessary. When you hear the phrase “root canal,” you might wince in anticipation. However, the infection that’s in the pulp of your tooth is what hurts, not the root canal therapy. Root canals get a bad rap, so let’s debunk some of the most common myths about the procedure:
Myth #1: Root Canals Are Painful
The most prevalent belief about root canals is that the procedure is painful. That may have been true in the past, but we’ve come a long way with technology and anesthetics. In terms of discomfort, a root canal isn’t different than getting a cavity filled. The pain you feel from the infection is much, much worse. After your root canal, you will likely experience some swelling and tenderness for a few days, but symptoms should be managed easily with over-the-counter painkillers. If those don’t help and you are feeling more significant pain, please give us a call.
Myth #2: Just Extracting a Tooth Is Better Than Getting a Root Canal
We don’t want to pull teeth unless we absolutely need to. Saving your natural tooth is the top priority, and a root canal is the best way to get rid of the infection without extraction. When a root canal saves your natural tooth, you won’t have to deal with additional procedures like dental implants, bridges, and other treatments. Root canals have high success rates, so if possible, that’s the treatment you want to consider first.
Myth #3: Root Canals Lead to Illness
There’s a rumor going around that getting a root canal makes you more likely to get a disease in the future. This is a very old myth, but because of peoples’ fear and the spread of misinformation over the internet, it’s persistent. The reality is that much better, newer research says that root canals do not cause illness, and there’s no valid evidence suggesting that root canals are linked to diseases.
Come See Dr. Johnson for Root Canal Therapy
If you are experiencing symptoms like swollen gums, tooth sensitivity, tooth pain, and darkening teeth, you may be dealing with an infection. Come in to see Dr. Johnson and the team at Gary Johnson DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry as soon as you can, and we can assess whether or not you need root canal therapy. If you want to learn more about root canals before coming in, we have a page dedicated to information like why root canals are necessary and what you can eat following surgery. Tooth infections are serious, but a root canal can get your oral health back on track!