The words “root canal” are enough to drive fear into the hearts of any sane adult. You would have surely heard horror stories from other people about not only how painful they can be, but how expensive they can be too.

Avoiding a root canal is probably high on your list of “do not want” items when it comes to dental therapy, even if you don’t know exactly what it is.

What is a root canal?

Have you ever seen a tooth come out of the mouth? If so, you will notice the two prongs that go deep into the jawline. At the bottom of each prong there is an opening into the jaw that contains tissues that feed up into the tooth itself and also contain nerves. These nerves can send pain signals to the brain. If there are issues or infection within this pulpy tissue interior, you may need a root canal treatment.

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Issues including infection and abscesses can form from tooth decay that has reached down from the tooth itself into the pulpy interior.
To fix these issues, a drill is placed into the pulpy interior down to the root of the tooth and the infection cleared out. The interior is replaced with a different material, and generally a crown put on top of the tooth.

Eat a healthy diet

The best way to prevent having to undergo a root canal treatment is to follow a healthy diet that is low in sugars. A healthy diet keeps our bodies in tip top condition which can fight off infection and abscesses in particular. This mean lots of healthy veggies and fruit, some proteins and grains. Eating healthy will help to keep your entire body in good health. Combine with exercise to live a longer and healthier life.

Using fluoride

Ever wondered why there is fluoride in toothpaste? It’s because it settles on your teeth and strengthens the enamel coating that protects them from decay. When enamel wears out this is when decay starts to happen and infection can take hold. Drinking tap water that is fortified with fluoride also helps with this.

Regular brushing and flossing

We can’t say it enough – brushing and flossing after every meal really helps to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums in tip top condition, regardless of your age or circumstances!

Consistent dental check ups

Dentists can help spot the early signs that might progress into root canal troubles and help to turn them around before root canal treatment is needed. 6 monthly check ups are a good way to spot problems before they get worse. Dental Avenue Maroubra is a great option for your regular dental checkups if you live in the Maroubra region.