Who really wants a root canal? But when the time comes, many patients fear the pain that many commonly associated with the procedure. The name ‘root canal’ itself sounds painful and make people squirm, but it really is a routine procedure. While root canals are no walk in the park, they are pretty painless aside from the soreness after the procedure.

A root canal is needed to save a tooth or teeth when its nerve or pulp becomes inflamed and irreversibly damaged. If the nerve is exposed to bacteria, it must be removed immediately to prevent any infections or further pain. The pain that leads you to require a root canal treatment is the pain that you likely attribute to the procedure itself.

So, where is the pain coming from?

The infection of the root is where the pain is actually coming from rather than the treatment. Once you receive a local anesthesia, your dentist will perform a root canal to get rid of the pain. There is soreness that follows the procedure and you may be prescribed a pain reliever or directed to the drug store for an over-the-counter option.

There should not be any sensitivity to hot or cold liquids afterwards, but around the tooth will be very sensitive for the first few days. Don’t worry, you will be back to your regular activities shortly thereafter.

Do I need a root canal if there is no pain?

There are some teeth that need root canal treatment and yet the patients have no pain. You may have cracked your tooth or the present infection may be minimal, either way your dental professional needs to see you to determine the state of the root and tooth. Pain is not the only indicator of infection and therapy may be necessary to prevent infection to your gums or other tissues..

Painless Treatment?

Just like many other dental treatments, a numbing medicine will make this experience much more pleasant than expected. Severe pain is eliminated through root canal therapy, not caused by it. Taking great care of your oral health following the procedure will minimize your discomfort or any future issues.

Reduce future pain for your health and comfort

As you probably have guessed by now, proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash twice a day will greatly reduce any pain from your root canal site. This consistent attention will not only support a healthy recovery from your treatment, but is preventative of possible oral health issues you could face. Take the best care of your oral health, as it directly influences your immune system and other bodily systems that keep you in check!