Are you scheduled for a root canal? This procedure is important for your dental health and your overall comfort, but that doesn’t mean you’re looking forward to it. Root canals are thought of as being extremely painful – but do they deserve this reputation?
What Exactly Is a Root Canal?
Your tooth may look fine on the outside, but if you need a root canal it won’t feel so good. Symptoms indicating that you need a root canal include pain when chewing, swollen gums, and sudden sensitivity to hot or cold. These are signs that the pulp within the tooth is damaged. The pulp is made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. If your tooth is damaged, bacteria can get into the pulp and infection can spread to the nerve inside the tooth. This infection doesn’t just affect the tooth, though – it can actually get into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
In a root canal, the infected pulp, including the nerve, is removed and then the tooth is filled with dental materials. A porcelain crown is then placed over the tooth. The tooth will look and function just like a normal tooth, but because the nerve is gone you won’t have any more toothaches.
How Bad Does a Root Canal Hurt?
It isn’t exactly clear why root canals have such a bad reputation, but they don’t really seem to deserve it. In a recent study, patients who had a root canal said that it hurts about as much as getting a filling. Less than 20% of these patients said that it was the most painful dental procedure they had ever had.
If this still doesn’t ease your fears, it might help to know that Softouch Dental Care offers sedation dentistry!
A root canal may not sound like much fun, but they may not be as painful as they’ve been made out to be. And, when the procedure is over your tooth will be healthy and pain-free! If you are having any pain in your teeth, contact Softouch Dental Care, serving Oakton, Vienna, and Fairfax, Virginia. Call 703-747-9734 for an appointment today!
