When bacteria enter the pulp of a tooth, they cause an infection known as root canal infection, which requires specific treatments to remove the affected tooth and prevent reinfection. Taking good care of your teeth can help prevent many root canals naturally. There are simple things you can do to prevent root canals.
What Is Root Canal?
When bacteria enter the pulp of a tooth, a condition may develop, leading to a root canal infection. In this case, you should remove the infected pulp and seal the tooth. While the effects of a successful, professionally done root canal treatment can last up to ten years, in many cases root canals may fail for various reasons, such as root re-infection, root fracture, and decay.
What Are the Symptoms of A Root Canal?
Tooth canals are not always painful. Symptoms such as discoloration of the tooth, swelling, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature, pressure, or touch may warn you of this condition. Delaying the treatment for root canals can increase the risk of pain and swelling, gum bleeding, tooth loss, bone loss, infection, and facial deformity.
What Are the Causes of Root Canal Infections?
Decay is the primary cause of root canals. When a cavity gets larger, it can penetrate your pulp chamber or nerve, carrying the risk of bacteria getting inside the tooth. The result is a condition in which a root canal infection develops and you will need therapies to reduce pain and prevent further damage to your tooth. Traumas are also common reasons for root canals. If your tooth cracks or breaks, trauma to your tooth will damage your nerve and you will have to remove your nerve to save your tooth.
What Are the Treatments for Root Canals?
Root canal therapy involves removing the infected tissues and cleaning the canals which will be filled with specific materials to rebuild your tooth. There are also other alternative treatments you can benefit from:
Implants
You can remove the decayed tooth and replace it with an implant. Holistic extraction of the tooth, followed by replacing it with a bridge is a popular treatment.
Ozone/ Oxygen Therapy
Another alternative to root canal therapy is irrigating the root cavity with Ozone and Oxygen. This technique gives you faster healing.
Calcium Hydroxide
You can also apply calcium hydroxide to treat your root canal. Calcium hydroxide is an alkaline substance that prevents bacteria growth in tooth canals.
How to Avoid Root Canal?
Your lifestyle is the most important factor that can affect your oral health. A proper daily routine and diet are the best ways to prevent dental conditions. There are ways to naturally avoid root canals without costly treatment procedures through a healthy lifestyle:
Brushing your teeth
Toothpaste with fluoride can help strengthen your teeth. You can avoid dental conditions by brushing your teeth twice a day.
Flossing daily
Flossing can remove food particles that are trapped in between your teeth, and prevent the formation of plaque, which can lead to decay and infection. Flossing can also stimulate circulation and promote the healing of your gums.
Tongue Scraping
Scraping your tongue to keep it clean can help prevent a root canal by removing bacteria from the mouth, which is not possible with the help of brushing your teeth. It will also beat bad breath, killing bacteria that may be causing it.
Using Mouthwash
Using mouthwash destroys bacteria and prevents tooth decay. You are recommended to opt for an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Enamel-strengthening foods
Certain foods that can strengthen your enamel help prevent a root canal. Foods high in calcium, protein, and vitamin D, for example, help to keep your enamel strong and healthy.
Avoiding sugar
Reducing your sugar intake can help prevent root canals by lowering the likelihood of cavity formation.
Avoiding Tobacco
Tobacco affects your oral health in many aspects. It can cause cancer and tooth loss, and also destroy your gum tissues.
Healthy drinks
Drinking enough water is beneficial when it comes to your oral health. Beverages that contain sugar may be dangerous for your teeth, while water can wash away bacteria and prevent decay.
It’s very important to schedule regular check-ups with your dentist to prevent oral conditions. You should not wait too long or you will end up spending more of your hard earned money on treatments. Whether you want to evaluate your oral health or treat dental conditions, you can have a pleasant experience at Aria Dental, where you can find responses to all your dental queries with various services.
Our dentists tend to save every tooth with same-day emergency care even on Saturdays.
If in California, you can easily find us in Orange County. If not, no worries! We are with you on phone for a free consultation.
