Root canal therapy is a common treatment, though one that has been largely misunderstood for a very long time. It is rather astounding that so many inaccurate myths could remain so vital for so many decades. Due to the poor reputation of root canal therapy, this procedure is one that many in Scarborough and beyond would prefer to avoid. We would like to help our patients avoid root canal therapy as well, though for very different reasons.
One of the longest standing myths about root canal therapy is that pain is involved. In many cases, this is absolutely true, although not as many perceive it to be. The procedure itself is no more uncomfortable than it is to get a filling, which is, for most people, not uncomfortable in the least. Treatment is performed under local anesthetic, just like a filling, so all sensation to the treatment area has been numbed. Where pain is involved is in the infection before professional care.
A common path towards root canal therapy goes like this: a tooth becomes a little sensitive to warm or cold temperatures, or feels a little painful at times. In time, the tooth starts to hurt a little more frequently and a little more intensely. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be taken to improve comfort. As pain subsides, the need for professional care is forgotten and the underlying problem causing pain is left to fester beneath the surface. What began as a small cavity has turned into infection in the inner materials of the tooth and, in pain, a call is made to the dentist.
Root canals don’t hurt! Infections, on the other hand, do. If you experience minor discomfort in a tooth, your body is telling you something is wrong. It’s much easier to solve the problem of a small cavity than to endure the pain and the hassle of an infected tooth.
The team at Esquire Dental Centres provides gentle, compassionate care for your dental concerns. Contact one of our offices today to schedule preventive dental care.
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