Don’t believe everything you read online: root canals do not cause health problems.

A root canal is probably one of the most misunderstood and feared dental procedures. Due to misinformation circulating the Internet, people negatively perceive the procedure and may avoid undergoing a root canal altogether. One such myth is that root canals cause health problems. But nothing could be further from the truth!

The misconception that root canals cause health problems, such as cancer, is based on century-old research. At that time, not much was known about the spread of disease. Soon after that research was released, it was quickly debunked as medical knowledge grew. Rather than causing health problems, a root canal saves as much of your natural tooth as possible and prevents serious complications. So don’t delay getting a root canal based on misinformation. Learn about its benefits instead.

The four benefits of a root canal

According to the American Association of Endodontists, about 25 million endodontic treatments, such as root canals, are performed yearly. Thanks to new techniques, technologies, and medicines, root canal procedures are safe and effective in restoring severely decayed or damaged teeth. 

In your tooth is a pulp that holds blood vessels and nerves. If those nerves and blood vessels become infected or irritated, you’ll be in extreme pain and need a root canal, which is the removal of the tooth’s pulp. 

Your dentist will apply local anesthesia so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Once the root is cleared, a temporary filling is placed over the tooth. The next step is the permanent filling and possibly a crown over the treated tooth.

Far from causing health issues, a root canal is good for oral health. In fact, a root canal has four benefits, such as:

Stopping the pain. An infected tooth root can cause excruciating pain. Moreover, your teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold, making eating more difficult. The pain is gone with a root canal, and you can enjoy your favorite foods again.

Preventing the spread of infection. Untreated decay often leads to an infection spreading beyond the tooth into other teeth, gums, the mouth, or the neck. Even more dangerous is the possibility of sepsis, an infection in the bloodstream.

Saving your natural tooth. Preserving your natural teeth is always better, and a root canal accomplishes that. A root canal is better than an extraction, which would involve more complicated dental procedures such as a bridge or implant.

Avoiding an abscess. A bacterial infection in the tooth’s root can lead to an abscess, or a pocket of pus around the tooth. Abscesses are painful and can cause a fever, bad breath, and damage to the bone if not quickly remedied. An abscess can be drained or require surgery in more severe cases.

As you can see, you have nothing to fear from a root canal! It’s really one of the safest ways to restore the health of your teeth.

Don’t wait to treat a toothache

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Mission Valley, California, location today! Our highly trained dentists can perform a root canal and save your tooth from pain and further complications. Don’t live near our Mission Valley, CA, office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Mission Valley, CA
8989 Rio San Diego Drive
Suite 170
San Diego, CA 92108