Getting To The ‘Root’ Of The Matter….

Advice from a Chelmsford Endodontist on how to prevent root canal infections.

If there is one dental procedure that seems to strike fear in the heart of most people, it has to be the root canal procedure. For many reasons, this procedure is nowhere near as uncomfortable as people imagine it to be as x-rays are always taken to look for abscesses before treatment starts and the modern anaesthetics we use are very powerful.

It is likely that its ‘pain’ reputation originated from a time before x-rays and drilling into an abscess would certainly be very painful indeed!  Advances in dentistry, including x-rays and local anaesthesia mean that this should hopefully be no more uncomfortable than most other invasive treatments.

Even though it may not be as painful as it once was, it remains the case that having to have this procedure is best avoided if possible. As it is usually necessary when the pulp materials in the root canals of a tooth become infected, we will take a look at how patients of Blue Sky Dental can minimise the risk of infection in this area.

The basics – good oral hygiene

It goes without saying that if you neglect your daily oral health regime, then there is a high chance that your teeth are going to suffer, as well as your gums. Making sure that you do the basics well will play a big part in having healthy teeth and gums. Brushing twice a day with a toothbrush with healthy bristles, and making sure to floss between your teeth will provide you with a very solid foundation when it comes to having a healthy mouth. You should make sure not to eat or drink anything but water once you have brushed your teeth before going to bed; a mistake quite a few people make.

Regular visits to the dentist

Like the above, seeing the dentist and dental hygienist every six months, or more frequently if recommended, is also very important to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Even if you feel there are currently no issues, a close examination may reveal a small amount of decay or damage that may not be causing problems yet but which needs to be treated before the problem becomes more significant. If you do have to cancel your appointment for any reason, please try to rearrange at the same time that you cancel in order to avoid forgetting and going too long between visits.

Take care with what you eat and drink

Everyone knows that sugar is bad for your teeth. It isn’t really the sugar itself, but the bacteria that interacts with the sugar to create acids that damage the tooth enamel. Keeping your sugar intake at a sensible level will help to minimise the risk of enamel damage and hence, protect the root canals as well. It is not only sweets and chocolates that should be kept to a minimum but especially soft fizzy drinks that are high in sugar and also acids that increase the likelihood of enamel damage.

Don’t ignore a ‘small’ dental issue

This is an important one. If you are experiencing some minor discomfort with your teeth, it is very likely that some damage has already occurred. It is really important that you get this checked out as soon as possible so that any preventative treatment can be applied as early as possible. Once the enamel on the tooth is compromised, bacteria can enter the inner part of the tooth, eventually reaching the root canals. This is when a root canal infection can occur and the only available treatment, other than an extraction, is the root canal procedure. Although this is an effective treatment to restore a tooth infected in this way, it is still far better to avoid the need for it if at all possible.

Protect your teeth if you play sport

Tooth decay is not the only way that the enamel can be damaged. Breakages have a similar effect, exposing the inner part of the tooth, and usually much quicker that tooth decay ever will. While it may be impossible to prevent all instances of damage as these are often the results of accidents, there are situations where you may be aware of a higher risk of damage than usual. A good case in point is for those who play contact sports such as football or rugby.  If you take part in a sport such as this, you might wish to invest in a protective mouthguard to wear when you are playing. This will help to protect your teeth if you receive a blow to the mouth.

Taking the above steps will go a long way to protecting your teeth and root canals from becoming infected. If you would like any further advice on this or any other dental subject, please do get in touch with us. For this, and other reasons such as making an appointment with the dentist or hygienist at our Chelmsford dental practice, please call Blue Sky Dental on 01245 211070.