Most of the talk about preventing tooth decay involves stopping it from ever developing. However, tooth decay remains the most common oral health concern for most patients of all ages, and when it develops, the more pressing concern is preventing it from becoming more severe. If it does, then the decay that started in your main tooth structure can quickly become a threat to the inner tissues, nerves, and blood vessels of the tooth. Today, we explain how to stop a root canal from becoming infected by tooth decay, and how to save your tooth by treating it as soon as possible if it does.
From mild to severe tooth decay
While tooth decay itself may be common, the need for root canal therapy to treat it isn’t. Tooth decay is a progressive condition, and it can be obvious in its early stages due to the sensitivity it causes in your tooth structure. That sensitivity often prompts people to have their tooth decay and cavities treated while the condition is still in its mild or moderate stages, and is still confined to the main structure of your tooth’s crown. If given enough time, though, the decay in your tooth’s crown can reach the pulp chamber at the center of it, which is connected to your tooth’s root canal and houses all of your tooth’s soft and sensitive nerves and tissues.
Preventing decay, or stopping it early
The most effective way to avoid the need for root canal therapy is to avoid having to treat tooth decay at all. The infection in your tooth is caused by certain types of oral bacteria, which can be found abundantly in the plaque and tartar that cling to your teeth. By consistently keeping your teeth clean of this buildup, you can significantly improve your chances of preventing tooth decay at all. However, if you do develop decay in a tooth, then treating it by filling the cavity as soon as possible could be essential in minimizing your treatment and stopping the infection before it reaches the tooth’s pulp and root canal.
If your root canal is compromised
The reason tooth decay is common despite being so easily preventable is because you won’t always know when accumulations of oral bacteria remain on your teeth for too long. Keeping up with daily hygiene significantly improves your chances of preventing it, along with visiting your dentist at least once every six months for a professional dental checkup and cleaning. Similarly, if you know you have tooth decay, it can become more severe and intensive before you realize it, and hesitating to address it could be all that’s needed to allow the infection to reach your tooth’s root canals. If this occurs, then we can recommend root canal therapy to carefully remove the infection and infected tissues, then seal and protect the tooth’s inner chambers with a durable, biocompatible dental material.
Learn more about saving a tooth’s root canal
In severe cases of tooth decay, the inner canal of your tooth’s root can become severely compromised by the infection. To learn more about how to prevent this, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.
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