Root Canals

What are root canals?

Root canals are treatments for teeth with infections or inflammation on the inside. Within each of your teeth is a soft pocket of tissue called the pulp. It consists of blood vessels, nerves, and tissue. The pulp can get infected after you deeply chip or crack a tooth, but inflammation can also happen after impact, even with no cracks or chips. 

A root canal involves removing the pulp from the injured tooth. Your tooth can survive without its pulp if it’s finished growing. Your dentist then cleans and disinfects the canals inside the tooth before filling and sealing the tooth with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. 

After the root canal treatment, the BH Dental NY team further protects your tooth by giving it a crown or filling. Then, it can function as it did before the injury. 

What are some signs of needing a root canal?

The signs that you need a root canal are distinct, and you should never ignore them. You should contact BH Dental NY right away for a possible root canal if you experience:

• Tooth pain, especially while chewing or biting down
• Pimples on your gums
• Tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures or sweetness
• Gray or black tooth discoloration
• Gum swelling
• A visible chip or crack on the tooth
• Swollen gums
• Darkening gums

Some of these symptoms can indicate other dental issues, so it’s important to visit BH Dental NY for an official diagnosis to find out if a root canal is the best treatment. 

How long does it take to recover from a root canal?

Many people wonder how long it takes to recover after a root canal and what they can do to accelerate that recovery. Fortunately, the time it takes to recover after a root canal is usually no longer than a week. You might experience some mild discomfort for several of those days, but you can manage it with over-the-counter medication. 

You may want to stick to soft foods for several days during your recovery. While you don’t have to blend everything you eat, soft foods like pasta and mashed potatoes are easy on your teeth. As you become more comfortable, you may slowly reintroduce solid foods into your diet.

You should avoid smoking as you heal from a root canal, but you can go back to school or work as early as the day after treatment. 

To schedule an examination for your symptoms and find out if you need a root canal, call BH Dental NY or book an appointment online today.