Don't Ignore the Pain – A Root Canal Can Save Your Tooth

Many people try to ignore an uncomfortable or painful tooth as long as possible to avoid the dreaded root canal. But this common procedure can not only save your tooth, it’s also a straightforward and painless process, especially when done by Dr. Robert Scott Nance. 

If you have a painful tooth, here’s what you need to know about root canals and your oral health.

Why get a root canal?

Root canals are surrounded by misinformation, leading many to shudder at the mere thought of them. But in reality, they’re rarely painful because of the numbing medications and anesthesia that make you comfortable during the procedure. Instead of causing pain, they actually help relieve your symptoms and preserve your tooth.

When you experience tooth pain from decay or infection, Dr. Nance uses a root canal to safely remove damaged and diseased pulp from the inside of your tooth. The pulp is the portion of your tooth containing nerves and blood vessels, which can become infected and trigger your symptoms.

Signs of having an infection in your tooth pulp include:

• Tenderness and swelling
• Severe pain, especially when biting down
• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• A pimple or abscess on your gum

When you ignore a diseased tooth, you run the risk of the infection worsening, and you could lose the tooth. Each year in the United States, root canals save approximately 24 million teeth. 

How a root canal works

You can relax knowing that having a root canal will make your pain go away for good. And, because we apply numbing agents to your tooth and surrounding area before beginning the procedure, you won’t feel a thing.

After we numb the area, we use a small drill to make a tiny opening in your tooth. Then, we remove the inner decay, nerve tissues, bacteria, and pulp. Finally, we clean the inside of your tooth before filling it with medicated dental materials that restore strength and structure to your tooth.

The last step of a root canal involves sealing the opening with a filling. Sometimes, we also recommend covering the entire area with a dental crown for additional protection.

The benefits of a root canal

When you have a root canal, you can say goodbye to your tooth pain, though you may have minor sensitivity and discomfort for a few days after your procedure. Compared to the pain of an infected tooth, however, these symptoms are mild and easily managed with over-the-counter pain medications.

While eliminating tooth pain is a major reason to have a root canal, the main benefit is saving your natural tooth. Your teeth play a vital role in your oral health, and nothing is better the ones you’ve got. When you lose one, it does more than impact your smile. 

When you have missing teeth, it can cause:

• Surrounding teeth to shift out of position
• Changes to your bite and jaw alignment
• Difficulty chewing or talking
• Pockets for bacteria to grow, increasing your risk of gum disease

Losing a tooth can also impact the health of your jawbone, because the root below your gumline stimulates bone production. Plus, having a tooth extracted is often more uncomfortable than having an infected tooth or undergoing a root canal.

If you have a painful tooth, don’t ignore it. Book an appointment today by calling either our Statesville, North Carolina office at 704-246-3449 or the Hickory office at 828-232-8811.