What is a root canal?

Root canal treatment is one type of endodontic treatment that relieves your toothache and makes your teeth healthy again. In order to understand more about root canal treatment, we should know the layers of our teeth first! (Check “The Layers of Your Teeth: What Do You Whiten”) As we mentioned, there are three layers in our teeth and the pulp chamber is the innermost layer. Pulp is a soft tissue containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues, which helps the growth of your tooth during its development. After your tooth is fully developed, it does not need the pulp to survive anymore since the tissues surrounding your teeth will be the ones nourishing it. 

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Why do I need to have a root canal?

You have to have a root canal treatment when your tooth is badly infected and the most common reason is due to poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene allows bacteria to get into the inner part of your tooth and infect your pulp. Additionally, you also need canal treatment when your tooth is cracked from injury or genetics because the interior of your tooth becomes vulnerable to bacteria. 

During most root canal treatment cases, your dentist will drill a tiny hole in your tooth and use specialized tools to remove your infected pulp which causes the pain. Cleaning your inside tooth carefully, fill and seal after it is disinfected and a crown is used to protect your tooth. Once the treatment is done, you will be able to chew efficiently again. It has a natural appearance that people would not even notice that you had a root canal treatment.

However, in the best scenario, no one wants to have a root canal that could be costly and uncomfortable! What you can do is take care of your oral health to avoid cavities and have a good oral hygiene routine?

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day especially when you wake up and before bed, also floss daily between the teeth to remove plaque. Novashine Ultrasonic Toothbrush has 5 brushing modes that personalize your brushing experience and fits your needs! (Check “Brushing Your Teeth: Top 7 Mistakes” to make sure that you brush your teeth in the right way)
2. Visit your dentist at least once a year to make sure that your oral health is in a healthy status with no cavities or gum disease symptoms.
3. Use mouthwash after meals or after brushing which cleans the hard brush area. If you do not have mouthwash handy after a meal, you can drink more water to wash out some of the negative effects of food remaining in your mouth. Novashine Mouthwash is made with natural ingredients that also help reduce your teeth sensitivity.
4. It is also recommended to drink less alcohol and sugary food and drink. Since sugar converts into acids in your mouth, these acids are what lead to cavities and wear down tooth enamel.