Why root canal treatments are important
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure we offer at Jes Dental Studio that is used to treat infections that occur in the centre of your tooth.
Infections that occur in the centre of your tooth are often caused by bacteria that live in the mouth and invade the tooth when certain dental issues occur such as damage due to trauma, tooth decay and leaky fillings. At the centre of the tooth is dental pulp which is a soft tissue; root canal treatment is required when dental X-rays show that the pulp has been damaged by a bacterial infection as this will cause the pulp to become inflamed, giving way to the spread of bacteria.
Symptoms of a pulp infection
You may have an infection in the pulp of your teeth if you experience pain when eating and drinking cold food or drink. It is important to contact your Dentist in Chislehurst if you experience any of these symptoms; as the longer the infection progresses then the symptoms may appear reduced, however this is because the pulp dies. When this occurs, you may be under the impression that your tooth has healed; however, the infection is in fact spreading through the root canal system which will cause further symptoms. These symptoms will include pain when you chew or bite, swelling of the gum near the affected tooth, pus discharging from the site of the affected tooth, swelling of the cheek or jaw, and the tooth darkening in colour.
Why it is important to contact your dentist
It is vital that you contact your Dentist in Chislehurst as soon as you experience toothache as the tooth pulp cannot heal by itself over time, but can in fact cause further damage and reduce the risk of a root canal treatment working if the infection becomes established. Your Dentist in Chislehurst will also be able to prescribe you a course of antibiotics to treat the infection to prevent further spreading.
How is a root canal treatment carried out?
In order to treat the infection in the root canal, the bacteria need to be removed; this can be achieved by either removing the bacteria from the root canal system or by removing the infected tooth completely. Before proceeding with the root canal treatment, you will be given a local anaesthetic making the procedure painless for you. The dentist will remove the infected pulp and drain any abscesses that have formed, followed by a deep cleaning of the root canal and reshaping it for the filling or crown. In most cases, any inflammation caused by the infection will heal naturally, and the chances of reinfection are quite slim as a root canal treatment is often very successful.
Aftercare
As with any dental treatment, it is important to take great care of your teeth after a root canal treatment. Your dentist may recommend over the counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve any discomfort. You can avoid damaging your teeth again by avoiding biting on hard objects or foods until the treatment is complete, keeping your teeth clean through regular brushing, and avoiding food and drinks containing a high content of sugar.