When you have an infected tooth, this could mean persistent toothaches or even discomfort when you eat. Treatment is crucial for preventing the spread of infection or the loss of the tooth in question. But our team can help with root canal therapy! In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX, dentist talks about the benefits of a root canal, and how we can help prevent the onset of an infection.
The Causes of Infected Teeth
A tooth becomes infected when harmful oral bacteria make contact with the inner pulp. Your pulp is a collection of nerve tissues sitting at the center of each tooth. These tissues control the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth, and keep the tooth functional. However, contact with bacteria could happen due to tooth decay, which grows in severity unless treated, or as a result of an injury or teeth grinding-related damage that exposes the sensitive inner structures. When this occurs, the tooth is infected and care is crucial for preventing tooth loss and major discomfort.
Warning Signs
How do you know if you have a tooth that needs attention? Warning signs could include tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, or a toothache that doesn’t pass after a few hours. Pain when you bite down or chew has been reported, along with jaw and facial aches. Headaches are common, as is swelling near the aching otoh. You could also experience a discharge from the tooth too. When you experience one or more of these possible warning signs, then contact our team right away for treatment. With root canal treatment, we could potentially save your tooth!
Dangers of Ignoring the Issue
Without treatment, the infection could grow severe and essentially kill the tooth. When this happens, the infection could actually spread to other teeth or move into the jawbone, threatening your smile stability and oral health, and leading to major discomfort. Which is why you need treatment, such as a root can, to save your tooth and protect your smile as a whole.
Treatment with Root Canal Therapy
Our team will carefully examine your smile with digital x-rays, which use a fraction of the radiation but provide more detailed images instantly chairside, so we can make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. Our team can identify the position of the infection and assess the severity. If a root canal is necessary, we will numb the tooth and also discuss sedation if you have dental anxiety or special needs. Once you’re comfortable and relaxed, we will then open the tooth so we can access and remove the tissues from within. Once we do, we will clean the interior of the tooth thoroughly. A special restorative material known as gutta percha is then added to the interior. Finally, our team will cap the tooth with a one-visit dental crown, one crafted from materials like porcelain, which can support daily bite forces and also be shaded to blend with the tooth seamlessly. In as little as one appointment, we can stop discomfort and protect the health, beauty, and stability of your smile.
Dental Fillings
Often, we can treat the tooth decay before it leads to an infected tooth, protecting your smile. Which is why when you notice pain in a tooth, you should let us know right away. You should also attend a checkup and cleaning every six months, so we can identify cavities in the early stages, often before you experience pain or aches. We then place a simple dental filling to stop the spread of decay and prevent the tooth from becoming infected. Again, we will use a material that is metal-free and able to be color matched. Your smile will remain bright and beautiful!
How to Protect Your Smile
You can also take actions to protect your smile. For example, you can brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste, and floss every evening. This removes the food and drink particles that feed harmful oral bacteria. You can also cut back on sugar and starch in your diet, so you don’t feed the harmful bacteria that weaken enamel and cause decay. Finally, make time to see our team for a checkup and cleaning every six months, so we can monitor your smile and remove harmful buildup!
Your Conroe, TX, Dentist Offers Restorative Dentistry
Our team wants to make sure that your advanced decay or infection doesn’t threaten the stability of your tooth. For more information on our custom and effective restorative treatments, then contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX by calling 936-441-4600 today.
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