Having your mouth operated on can be a terrifying thought. Although it may be necessary in order to save your teeth. Undergoing a root canal surgery will not only improve your smile but your overall health as well. There are some signs of needing a root canal that you can watch out for.

What is Root Canal Surgery?

Root Canal Surgery is performed when the tooth is so badly deteriorated that is starts to affect the root. The center of a tooth, called the pulp, contains blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. Bacteria can enter the pulp if you have a deep cavity or crack in your tooth, causing a severe infection or a tooth abscess if left untreated. Symptoms may include a swollen face, toothache, a hole in your tooth, gum inflammation, and sensitivity.

Root Canal Pain

Fearing that root canal surgery is painful is a common misconception. With modern anesthetics and technology, root canal surgery can be relatively painless. In addition, the procedure will eliminate and relieve the current tooth pain you are experiencing.  According to a current survey done by American Association of Endodontics, patients who have undergone root canal treatment are six times more inclined to think the procedure is painless than patients who have not had root canal treatment.  Over the counter pain medication can help ease any discomfort or pain.

Root Canal Complication

Although root canals are mostly successful, complications may occur. In some cases, the dentist may inadvertently harm the tooth during the treatment or create an additional infection. Among the reasons include:

• An unnoticed crack in the tooth’s root
• Recontamination of the pulp of the tooth due to the breakdown of the sealing material
•  More than the normally expected number of root canals in a tooth

Root Canal Recovery

After a root canal surgery, expect to feel some tenderness. Your dentist will provide you with aftercare instructions to ensure properly and timely healing. If you are prescribed an antibiotic, be sure to complete the medication in order to heal completely. Take certain precautions when chewing your food during your root canal recovery. If possible, avoid chewing your food near the affected tooth until the permanent crown is set.

Alternative to Root Canal Surgery

An alternative to undergoing a root canal surgery is to extract the diseased tooth. After extraction, the main goals are to allow regular chewing and to maintain proper alignment and spacing between teeth. A fixed bridge, a detachable partial denture, or an implant will achieve these goals. However, these alternatives are typically more expensive than undergoing a root canal surgery.

Ways to Avoid Root Canal Surgery

1.    Maintain a proper dental routine

By paying close attention to your dental habits, you will protect the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash morning and night.

2.    Stop harmful behaviors

Consider cutting on harmful foods that have a lot of sugar, such as candy. Sugar can cause the build-up of plaque that can lead to tooth decay. Chewing on ice or hard candy can also cause damage to the enamel.

3.    Maintain healthy gums

It’s important always consider the health of your gums. Gums are an essential part of your mouth and must be taken care of. Brushing and flossing regularly will help prevent gum disease. Ignoring signs of gum disease will make symptoms worse and can even cause loss of teeth.

4.    Visit our doctors

We recommend visiting us routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning in order to maintain a healthy smile. Taking time action will help to prevent the need for root canal surgery.

By practicing better dental hygiene, root canals can be avoided. With cleanings, root canals, and other general dental care services, we’re sure that we’ll be the perfect fit for your family. To schedule an appointment for you or a loved one, call us today at (801)-328-4173!

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that typically appear for someone in their late teens or early twenties. It is essential you don’t ignore your wisdom teeth as they can cause problems when they erupt through the gum tissue. Most adults have four wisdom teeth but it is possible to have less or more. Wisdom teeth can affect other teeth as they develop, becoming impacted. They must be extracted when this happens.

Every patient is different, but overall wisdom teeth need to be removed when there are signs of changes in the mouth such as:

• gum disease
• tooth decay
• pain
• infection
• cysts
• tumors
• damage to neighboring teeth

Extraction may not be necessary if the wisdom teeth are fully grown, functional, and painless. We recommending having our professionals determine whether or not extraction is necessary. If surgery is required, patients will be asleep or heavily sedated for the procedure.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Recovery

After the surgery is complete, you will be given specific steps to ensure a proper recovery. Wisdom tooth removal recovery can take approximately five to seven days. You may experience swelling in the face and jaw region. Swelling can be minimized by applying an ice pack for twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off. If you notice slight bleeding, we recommend biting on gauze or a moistened tea bag. This will help to promote blood clotting. It’s important to be gentle with the surgical area and avoid rinsing and brushing vigorously.

No matter how old or how young you or your family members are, we continuously look for innovative ways to make the dental office a fun and interesting place. Our office is bright, our staff is always happy, and our dentists are interested in the developments of your family as well as their dental health.

To make an appointment or learn more about wisdom teeth, call Avenues Dentistry at (801)-328-4173!