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Root canal therapy is essential in preventing tooth loss. It uses advanced techniques to eliminate deep decay while preserving and even strengthening the natural tooth. Still, despite the benefits of root canals, it’s safe to say most people would rather avoid having one in the future.
Richard Blackburn, DMD, MA, is a leading provider of root canal therapy for patients in Los Alamitos, California, and he’s also dedicated to helping patients avoid deep decay in the first place. In this post, Dr. Blackburn and the team at Volterra Dental offer some simple yet important steps you can take to protect your teeth and avoid the need for root canal therapy in the future.
Optimize your oral hygiene routine
Root canals are performed when the central part of your tooth — the pulp portion — gets decayed or infected. Without a root canal, bacteria inside your tooth will spread, leading to tooth loss and potentially more serious infections in your jaws and elsewhere.
One of the best ways to avoid root canal therapy in the future is to establish a good oral hygiene routine. That includes twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day. These habits get rid of sticky plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and infections.
Don’t ignore tooth symptoms
Speaking of tooth decay and infections, early treatment is another way to prevent future root canals. That means visiting our office at the first sign of symptoms. When tooth or gum pain is mild or only happens occasionally, it can be tempting to “wait and see.”
But putting off treatment allows decay or infections to spread to that inner pulp part of your tooth, eventually leading to the need for root canal therapy. If you have any unusual symptoms, like a toothache, tooth sensitivity, or gum swelling, call the office right away so we can see what’s causing it.
Protect your teeth from injury
Even a tiny crack or chip leaves plenty of room for tiny bacteria to enter your tooth and cause infection and decay. If you play sports or engage in other activities that could involve a mouth injury, wearing a mouth guard provides important protection to prevent traumatic damage.
If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, the added pressure and strain on tooth surfaces can also lead to cracks. Wearing a night guard protects tooth surfaces and reduces the risk of needing a root canal later on.
Watch what you eat
Bacteria love sweet snacks as much as you do. When you eat sugary snacks, bacteria multiply more rapidly, releasing acids that weaken and erode tooth enamel, dramatically increasing your risk of cavities — and the need for a future root canal. Eating a lot of acidic foods can weaken enamel, too.
To lower your risk of decay, limit sugary snacks and drinks and rinse after eating foods high in acid, like citrus fruits or tomato products. Limit sticky foods that can leave residues behind, and avoid chewing on hard candy or ice, habits that can lead to cracks and chips.
Don’t skip your checkups
When most people think of their personal oral hygiene routine, they only consider brushing and flossing. But twice-annual checkups and professional cleanings are essential, too. During your visit, we thoroughly clean your teeth, removing plaque and hard tartar that brushing and flossing miss.
Dr. Blackburn examines your teeth and gums, looking for tiny cracks and fissures that could lead to future tooth decay. After your exam, he recommends treatments to keep your teeth healthy and help you avoid root canal therapy.
Maintain your beautiful smiles
Sadly, there’s no way to completely eliminate the chances of needing a root canal in the future. But with these simple steps, you can dramatically decrease your risk and enjoy better oral health in the bargain.
If you have tooth pain or any other unusual oral health symptom, prompt treatment is one of the best ways to avoid a future root canal. To schedule a checkup or evaluation, contact Dr. Blackburn and the team at Volterra Dental in Los Alamitos, California, today.