If you have persistent pain in a tooth, this could mean advanced tooth decay or even an infected tooth. Without treatment, this infection could cause the loss of a tooth and worsening pain. But we can help! In today’s blog, your Brighton, MA, dentists talk about easing discomfort with a root canal.
Discomfort and Dental Infection
An infected tooth means that harmful bacteria have made contact with your tooth’s nerve center, the pulp typically surrounded by layers of dentin and protected by the outer enamel. This exposure could be the result of an injury to the tooth or an untreated case of tooth decay. When a tooth is infected, you may experience painful tooth sensitivity when you eat or even pain biting down. There could be a toothache that grows in severity with time, or even pain in the face and jaw. You may experience swelling near the tooth or possibly a discharge from it, as well as a fever. Don’t ignore these symptoms, as untreated infection could increase the risk of tooth loss.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is a safe and gentle option for treating infection and keeping your smile intact. We plan the procedure in detail by taking digital x-rays of your tooth, so we can assess the position and extent of your decay and infection. We then offer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth, and for anxious patients, we could offer sedation to ensure they stay calm and relaxed throughout the procedure, with little to no memory of it at all.
Our team then opens the tooth so we can access and remove the tissues from within. We thoroughly clean the side of the tooth and the root canals themselves. Our team then places a special medicated filling into the tooth and will cap it with a crown, one custom-made to ensure a proper fit, a balanced bite, and lifelike appearance.
Preventive Actions
You can also practice good oral hygiene habits to lower the risk of tooth decay or an infection. For example, be sure you brush for two minutes when you wake up and before bed, each time using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Floss every evening and try to cut back on the amount of sugar and starch in your diet. Make time to see our team for a checkup and cleaning every six months too. These actions help protect you from cavities and infection, as well as gingivitis and gum disease.
Talk to Brighton Family Dental About Endodontic Treatment
Our team wants to ease the pain behind your infected tooth and keep your smile whole. Learn more about treating an infected tooth by calling us at Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA, today at (617) 562-5210.
