Do you have specific teeth that hurt, like when you drink hot or cold liquids? You may have a cavity that has spread to your tooth's nerve, causing an infection.
You'll often need a root canal when an untreated cavity spreads the pulp (which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues) of your affected tooth and causes infection in your nerves. If the infected pulp is left untreated, it can become an abscess (a more severe issue resulting in bone loss in the jaw).
There is the stigma that a root canal is a painful, agonizing procedure when, in actuality, this endodontic treatment is given to relieve the pain the patient is suffering from.
Truths:
Like most routine dental procedures, there may be some soreness after. Still, ultimately, once the pain subsides, you will feel relief from the infection and enjoy your day-to-day life without the pain you previously felt from the infection.
First, the right dentist makes your natural tooth feel sleepy by wrapping it in a special blanket to keep it cozy. Then, they make a tiny hole to get inside your tooth to reach the dental pulp.
The dentist uses tiny tools to remove the icky stuff, make sure it's clean inside, and then put in new stuffing to keep the inside healthy.
The dentist puts a small bandage on the hole. Later, you come back and get a shiny new crown. Your tooth looks and feels brand new!
Getting a root canal is like getting a filling. The sleepy medicine makes sure you don't feel any ouches. You might hear some funny noises, but that's just the dentist using their tools.
After the dental procedure, your mouth might feel a bit sore. Don't worry, it'll feel better soon. The dentist can give you a special medicine to help. Most of the time, root canals work well. They save your tooth so it can stay in your mouth for a long, long time.
As mentioned, your tooth might feel weird when you bite or touch it. This is okay and will get better as your tooth heals. The dentist might put a small cap on your tooth. It might feel different, but that's normal. If it still feels really weird, you may need to visit the dentist again to fix it.
After the dentist fixes your tooth, there are some things you can do to make it feel better. If it hurts a little, the dentist can give you medicine. Don't chew on your fixed tooth until the dentist puts a crown on it. Eat soft foods and drink things that aren't too hot or cold.
Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be extra careful around your fixed tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This helps keep it clean. Go back to the dentist to make sure your tooth is getting better. They might put a special crown on it to keep it safe.
The cost of a root canal is different for everyone. It's like how some toys cost more than others. If your tooth has a lot of icky stuff inside, it might cost more to clean it out. If your tooth is in the back of your mouth, it might be harder to reach, which can raise the price.
But don't worry; there are ways to make paying for your root canal easier. Some dentists have unique plans that let you spend a bit at a time. It's like saving up your allowance to buy a new toy.
If you have a tooth fairy helper, they might pay for some of your root canal. This is called insurance. Your grown-up can ask the tooth fairy helper how much they will pay.
Even though a root canal costs money, fixing your tooth is essential. If you don't, your tooth might hurt more and more.
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