You probably have been taught an oral hygiene routine since you were a child. However, dental care does not only come down to hygiene.

Regular visits to the dentist are a must to keep your teeth in good health. Your dentist can help you perform a deep cleaning, remove tartar and treat your gums if needed.

Image source Pixabay

Cavities and dental infections are some of the most common dental health issues. Some of them can be severe and merit a Root Canal Treatment.

Today we will teach you all you need to know about this procedure to be more informed at your next dentist visit.

Root canal treatments, also known as endodontic treatments, are necessary when a tooth's nerve or the pulp becomes infected or inflamed.

During the procedure, the dentist uses a drill to remove both the nerve and the pulp and seal the tooth. 

The procedure intends to protect the tooth from further damage. Only your dentist or a dental specialist called an endodontist can determine if a root canal is appropriate to resolve your problem correctly.

When most people hear the words "root canal, " they become anxious and think it must be a horrible experience.

However, the first thing to understand is that endodontic treatment is not the actual cause of the pain experienced by most patients.

With current advances in anesthesiology and surgical techniques, you can find an ABQ Dentist who understands your concerns and offers compassionate care to keep the discomfort to a minimum.

Some people believe that the best solution (less painful) for a severe dental problem is to remove the damaged tooth instead of getting a root canal.

However, saving the tooth with endodontic treatment is a much better solution in most cases. 

Below are seven dental issues that might require a root canal to save the tooth and eliminate dental pain.

This tooth condition occurs when specific bacteria found in the mouth produce acids from foods that contain carbohydrates.

As bacteria, acids, food scraps, and saliva combine, a sticky substance called plaque forms. The acids generated by the bacterial plaque damage the enamel that covers the teeth and forms cavities.

Root canal treatments are chosen when a penetrating or non-penetrating cavity has attacked the dental pulp so much that it developed irreversible damage.

All gum disease begins with gingivitis. The symptoms are swollen gums and bleeding. Many people tend to downplay these symptoms since they often do not include pain.

However, if left untreated, gum disease can progress to a more severe disease called periodontitis, leading to the loss of teeth and bone mass.

A tooth that has suffered structural damage and has not been treated correctly runs a high risk of accumulating bacteria and causing an infection.

The infection can cause a lot of pain and, in the worst case, irreversible nerve damage. A root canal treatment can remove the infected part and then seal the damage to prevent it from spreading.

Tooth sensitivity is best described as discomfort due to a tooth surface's wear or retraction of the surrounding gingival tissue.

Since the roots are not covered with enamel, thousands of tiny canals leading to the tooth's pulp are exposed.

When heat, cold, or pressure touches these channels, you feel pain. Although this is the most common cause, if the pain persists for a long time, it can signal that the nerves and blood vessels are damaged or infected.

If you notice that any of your teeth start to turn a dull grey color, you may have an infection in the tooth's pulp, causing damage to the internal tissue.

If that is the case, the tooth will have inefficient blood flow, and you may feel severe pain and require root canal treatment.

As a tooth's pulp dies, the generated acids will gradually soften the bone around the root, causing it to loosen.

The patient can begin to feel it move while they do their usual activities. In that case, you most likely will need a root canal to fix the problem.

Any decisive blow or shock to the mouth can cause the death of a tooth's pulp. Many people take this problem lightly since they do not observe any cracks or chips in the tooth.

However, internal damage can still exist. If so, it will be necessary to perform the appropriate treatment to fix it.

If you have any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to go as soon as possible to your trusted dentist to determine what is causing the problem and evaluate the possibility of performing a root canal treatment if they consider it the best option.