How to Avoid Root Canal?

Root canals are frequently connected with discomfort, agony, and high dental expenses. The good news is that there are actions you can take to prevent having to undergo this dental operation. You can reduce your chance of developing serious tooth decay and the need for a root canal by applying some basic methods and practising proper oral hygiene. This article will look at several practical ways to avoid root canals.

Understanding Root Canal

Our teeth have a small canal containing pulp made up of blood vessels, connective tissues and nerves. It connects our teeth to the nerves and blood vessels of our jaw. If this pulp is damaged due to a broken tooth, tooth decay or any other issue, it can lead to infection. In this case, removing it to prevent its effect on the surrounding teeth becomes necessary. It is done by a root canal treatment in which the dentist removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the root canal, fills the teeth, and covers it to prevent further damage.

When Do You Need a Root Canal Treatment?

You need a root canal treatment when the tooth pulp has a bacterial infection. The bacteria in the pulp keep multiplying and spreading if not treated.

Teeth pulp infection symptoms:

• Persistent or severe toothache
• Sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures
• Tooth sensitivity to touch or pressure
• Swollen gums around the affected tooth
• Discolouration of the infected tooth
• Bad breath
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Presence of pus

Why Do You Need a Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is needed for the following reasons:

Controlling Infection: When the dental pulp gets infected due to severe decay, a damaged tooth, a dental accident or any other reason. The infection can spread to the surrounding tissues and even the bone, causing serious problems. The cause of the infection is removed during root canal therapy, successfully limiting and preventing its spread.

Pain Relief: Infected dental pulp frequently causes acute pain and sensitivity. Root canal therapy relieves pain by removing the damaged pulp and releasing pressure within the tooth. It restores patients’ ability to comfortably eat, talk, and do everyday tasks.

Tips to Avoid Root Canal

Brush Twice a Day

Brushing regularly prevents the need for extensive dental treatments, as it is the base of teeth hygiene. Skipping brushing regularly can damage teeth’s foundation and infect root canal pulp. Make teeth brushing your first thing to do in the morning and last at night before going to bed.

Floss Once a Day

Even if you use mouthwash or brush regularly, flossing is an important element of dental care. Dental floss is useful for removing food particles that have been lodged between your teeth. Getting rid of them helps to prevent bacteria growth and minimises your risk of cavities.

Minimise Acidic and Sugary Foods and Drinks

Acidic and sugary foods and drinks can badly affect your dental health. They can make your teeth susceptible to damage and infections and create cavities. Acids in such foods and drinks weaken your teeth, resulting in many dental problems. While many acidic drinks and foods have nutritional advantages, you should limit their consumption to avoid any damage to your teeth.

For instance, it’s better to avoid drinking citrus juices or carbonated drinks on a daily basis since they erode your enamel. Acidic beverages are generally high in sugars, which feed bacteria in your root canal and erode your enamel.

Get Your Cavities Filled

If your teeth have a cavity, treat it as soon as possible, If it goes untreated, the bacteria will continue to grow and spread, increasing the damage. This will eventually cause nerve damage and necessitate a root canal. Treating the cavities as soon as they are discovered prevents this from happening. 

Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods

Sticky meals, especially sugary foods, stay on your teeth longer. The sugars in these sticky foods can feed the microorganisms in your mouth, causing tooth decay.

Biting down on hard items such as ice cubes and candy can cause teeth to crack. These cracks can allow the growth of microorganisms, making the teeth vulnerable to infection and decay. You should avoid eating hard food items, especially if you have weak teeth, to avoid the need for root canal treatment.

Get Regular Checkups

Bad teeth or teeth decay doesn’t occur overnight. It is hard to recognise yourself, so visit your dentist on a regular basis. Make an appointment with your dentist for regular checkups so that your dentist may detect any issues before they require more severe procedures such as a root canal or extraction.

Don’t Ignore Pain

If you have tooth discomfort, don’t ignore it. Pain indicates something bad is happening with your teeth, and ignoring it may aggravate the situation. Routine checkups will help you fix the issue and can avoid the root canal.