A root canal procedure is where the inner part of the tooth is cleared from infection. Although it’s not necessarily a painful procedure, patients undergoing root canal treatment can experience some discomfort and sensitivity afterwards.
If you do not have a root canal treatment performed when it’s needed, you may have to have the affected tooth removed entirely. The removal of a tooth can cause further issues, as well as being more expensive due to the potential for a crown being required to stop teeth shifting.
Here’s our guide on how to prevent the need for a root canal treatment in the first place.
What are Some of the Signs I Need a Root Canal?
Some of the following symptoms could suggest you may need a root canal:
Swelling or tender gums. Swollen or sore gums may be a sign of infection that suggests you could need treatment.
Sensitivity. If you find a certain area is persistently sensitive to hot or cold food or drinks, this could be a sign of infection.
A darker or discoloured tooth. As the tissue and nerves within a tooth decay due to infection, the pulp darkens – which shows through the semi-opaque enamel that protects the tooth.
Signs of an abscess in the gum. An abscess is the mouth’s response to inflammation or infection. The area around an abscess may be swollen and pus might come out of the area.
Pain or throbbing. Ongoing pain or throbbing around one tooth and the surrounding gums can suggest an issue such as an infection. You might also feel a warm sensation as inflammation continues.
A severe infection within a tooth can quickly become a more threatening problem. Having your symptoms checked out by your dentist as soon as you notice them is the best way to avoid the need for a root canal. Luckily, there are a few ways you can prevent the need for a root canal in the first place. We’ll discuss these below.
Brush and Floss Regularly
Brushing your teeth twice a day (at least) and flossing will help reduce the potential for harmful bacteria to grow and damage the teeth and gums. Maintaining these healthy oral habits will keep your teeth cleaner, with a much less likely chance of developing infection that can travel deep within the tooth.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet is an essential way to ensure we’re getting all the vitamins and minerals we need to keep our teeth healthy. Reducing the amount of unhealthy, sugary foods you eat can help limit the number of bacteria growing in your mouth, which are one of the main causes of cavities. It’s these cavities that invite bacteria and infection deeper into the pulp of the tooth, which leads to the need for root canal treatments.
Foods with the following nutrients are the best for maintaining healthy teeth and gums:
Dairy products are good ways to make sure you’re getting enough calcium and phosphorous. If you can’t have dairy, look out for plant-based milks that are often enriched with calcium.
Fish are full of protein and nutrients that aid in keeping teeth and gums healthy. They are a great source of vitamin D, especially fatty fish like mackerel and salmon. Omega 3 fatty acids are also anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce the potential for infection and inflammation in the gums.
Greens such as kale and spinach are good for boosting your calcium intake. A leafy green salad is a great way to get those essential vitamins into your system too.
Many nuts and seeds are good antioxidants, particularly walnuts and almonds. Seeds like sunflower and pumpkin seeds also contain plenty of phosphorous.
Fruits and veg are packed with essential vitamins such as vitamin C, which is vital for healthy gums. Berries are also rich in antioxidants that can help prevent infection.
Visit Your Dentist
If you maintain regular visits to your dentist, this can help pre-emptively treat any issues that can quickly become more severe concerns. Most of our regularly scheduled check-ups are every 6 months, to help ensure your teeth and gums remain as healthy as possible.
If you also regularly keep up appointments with your dental hygienist, this will help ensure your teeth and gums are kept as clean and free from bacteria as possible. Our dental hygiene appointments range from £75 - £150 per session. We’d recommend you aim to see us for a clean every 6 months if your teeth are in good condition.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is well known to be one of the worst things you can do for your teeth and overall oral health, amongst causing a significant number of other health concerns.
Tobacco invites toxins into the mouth and gums whilst also reducing the amount of blood that flows through the area. This can make it easier for cavities to develop, as well as making it significantly harder to heal any issues due to the limited blood flow. This is why we will always advise to avoid smoking or vaping following any invasive dental procedure; to minimise infection risk and promote normal healing.
Address Issues Promptly
If you do suspect any issues with your teeth in between dental appointments or check-ups, don’t put off booking an intermittent appointment to have any concerning symptoms checked. Infection can build up quickly, and therefore so can the need for root canal treatment. By being proactive about your dental health, you can avoid the need for root canal treatment in the first place.
Preventative Dental Care with Kamran Rasul
The best way to ensure you don’t need a root canal is to maintain regular preventative dental care. If you do have any of the symptoms suggesting an infection that will require root canal treatment, it’s in your best interests to get it checked out as soon as you can.
To get in touch with our Liverpool dental surgery, call us on 0151 433 9634. You can also use our contact page to ask any specific queries you may have, and we’ll get back to you.
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