Root Canal - how can you avoid one

Do you know someone who has had a root canal?

Have you ever wondered what a root canal is, why you need one, and how to avoid one? Great, let's drill and find out.

Your tooth is surrounded by a soft pulp known as dentin. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

Blood and nerves were necessary when your teeth were growing. Once done, your teeth can survive without the pulp, as the tissue around them continues to supply what is required. 

Sometimes the pulp can get infected. Poor dental hygiene and infections are some of the reasons. 

When the pulp is infected, it can cause sensitivity to hot and cold, swollen or tender gums, or darkening of the gums.

If the symptoms persist, you may need a root canal operation. 

A root canal removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth. It is then filled with a replacement material, usually rubber. The procedure may or may not remove the nerves, depending on what the dentist finds. 

I got one done a couple of years ago. I can assure you that it is not fun. 

So how can you reduce your risk of needing a root canal? 

Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. I have mentioned this before, but each day, the food and saliva in your mouth leave a deposit on your teeth.

The deposit can only be removed for a few days, after which it solidifies. So brush regularly. 

Similarly, the quality of your food, especially sugary drinks and acidic foods, erodes enamel. Erosion of enamel leads to tooth decay, which in turn can lead to infection in your pulp. Avoid foods that damage your teeth. 

Finally, I cannot emphasise enough the benefits of rinsing your mouth with sesame or coconut oil. Rinsing your mouth with oil sticks bacteria to it, which you spit out. You remove bad bacteria through this process. 

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