Are You In Need Of Root Canal Therapy?

For most individuals, maintaining a healthy smile for life is a major goal. Though you may be taking care to brush and floss regularly, keep in mind that this alone is not always enough to keep infection or diseases at bay. Indeed, tooth decay is among the most common of oral health concerns out there, and many people are affected without even knowing there is an issue. As such, these concerns can progress rapidly. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist explores the nature of spreading decay and how a root canal procedure may be able to help mitigate its effects.

When Decay Progresses Greatly

Whether you are aware of it or not, your smile is constantly under the scrutiny of various oral health concerns. For instance, oral bacteria are present in every smile, and getting rid of every microorganism is virtually impossible. As such, the next best thing we can do is practice regular and consistent dental prevention in order to keep them at bay.

Tooth decay is a phenomenon that occurs when oral bacteria that have nestled in the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth feed off of sugars. This act causes them to produce a destructive acid, which then aids in gradually wearing down and eroding the protective layer of dental enamel that surrounds your teeth.

The problem with decay is that, unlike other body ailments or concerns, it will not stop on its own with time. As a matter of fact, the longer you wait to have the issue treated, the more difficult it is to treat. In situations such as this, your dentist may recommend a more extensive treatment in order to salvage your tooth. To learn more about this process and how our team can help, give us a call today.

An Influence on Functional Capabilities

As decay progresses, it works its way into the inner portion of a tooth where it attacks your sensitive nerves that are housed in your teeth roots. This can cause you to experience anything from discomfort or sensitivity to significant pain.

When your tooth aches, it becomes difficult to perform routine tasks such as biting, chewing, or eating, making your functional capabilities much more limited in scope. Fortunately, restorative root canal treatment can help. Contact our team to learn more today.

What to Know About Treatment and Aftercare

When you come in for your root canal treatment, our team will take care to carefully but thoroughly remove the infected dental pulp and fill the open canals with dental material. This helps reinforce structural integrity and keeps bacteria out. Keep in mind that this procedure is more extensive than that of a filling, so there will be some recovery time and aftercare that you need to consider.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Contact Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn more about the ways you can stay on top of your oral health.