When it comes to going to the dentist, nothing strikes more fear in the hearts of most people than the dreaded root canal. Endodontics gets a bad rap in the dental community for those root canals and other procedures. However, the fear and worry that most people feel in regard to root canals is largely unfounded and can be attributed to several myths that pervade popular culture regarding root canals and related dental care. So, before you continue on in dental pain in the name of avoiding a needed root canal, get to know some of the myths and facts surrounding the root canal procedure so that you can feel more comfortable with the idea.
Myth #1: Root Canals Are Extremely Painful
The main reason so many people fear root canals is that they have heard that they are incredibly painful. After all, the process of someone literally drilling into your tooth logically sounds like a painful one.
Many people cringe and wince at even the mention of root canals, even if they have not had one. This is because they immediately associate the procedure with pain.
Fact #1: Root Canals Are Relatively Painless
The truth of the matter is that root canals are actually not usually painful at all. The real cause of the pain that people associate with root canals is the infection that the procedure is designed to cure.
Root canals are recommended when the pulp, or interior of your tooth, gets a bacterial infection that originates on the outer structure of your teeth. Your dental pulp includes the nerve and that nerve is the source of your pain and discomfort. Thus, the root canal itself is not painful, but rather rids you of your pain.
Myth #2: You Might As Well Just Pull Your Tooth
When the pulp of your tooth gets infected, there are essentially two options available to you. You can salvage the tooth by means of a root canal, or give up and have the tooth pulled.
For many dental patients, they would just rather get rid of the tooth quickly than sit in the dental chair for a potentially lengthy root canal. They think that tooth extraction is the better choice for its convenience and assured problem resolution. However, this is not the case.
Fact #2: Tooth Extraction Can Cause More Problems and Lead To More Procedures
The reality of the matter is that it is always better to try to save your natural teeth. Your teeth work together to provide structural stability for your entire mouth.
When a tooth is removed, it can create instability in your mouth. This can cause your teeth to shift and move in your mouth, damage your gums, and actually cause bone loss that can lead to further tooth loss as well. So if you were to remove your tooth rather than undergo a root canal, you could cause more damage to your teeth and mouth, or will need further procedures to replace your missing tooth.
Root canals do not live up to the negative hype that is associated with them. In fact, if you need one, they can relieve your pain while maintaining the structural integrity of your teeth. So, if you find yourself in need of endodontic dental work with companies such as Dodson Endodontics, do not fret or fear.
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