Three Myths Related To Root Canals And The Truths Surrounding Those Myths

When the word root canal is said by your dentist, you may cringe. Root canal treatments have bad reputations. Many of the reasons people cringe when they hear this word are due to myths and half-truths that they have heard from others or on the internet related to root canals. If your doctor says you need a root canal treatment, here are three myths that you should know about and the truth surrounding these myths. This may help to put your mind at ease about your upcoming procedure. 

Myth 1: Root Canals Are Painful

One of the biggest myths out there about root canal treatment is that it is extremely painful. While this was true a couple of decades ago, technology and medicine has advanced to such a point that this procedure is typically not any more painful than a filing is. Your dentist can use anesthetics to help decrease what you feel and prescribe you pain medications to help with any pain and swelling you may have after the procedure. This helps to keep you comfortable during the procedure and ensures you are not in pain. 

Myth 2: An Alternative to a Root Canal is Tooth Extraction

There is some truth to a tooth extraction being an alternative to a root canal. If you refuse to have a root canal, the only other option to help prevent infection and pain in your mouth would be to extract the tooth. However, it is advised that you always try to save your natural teeth. Extracting the tooth means that you remove it and lose it forever. As such, there is no comparison between saving your tooth with a root canal and extracting it. 

Myth 3: You Don't Need a Root Canal Unless You Are in Pain

The last myth related to root canal treatment is that you do not need a root canal unless you are in a lot of pain. Once again, thanks to technology, dentists are able to detect infections and problems in the tooth and root earlier than ever. This helps them to catch problems that can be treated with a root canal before you experience a substantial amount of pain. Just because you are not in pain, does not mean that you do not need a root canal. 

If you need a root canal, obtaining as much accurate information as possible can help you to overcome your worry or anxiety that you have about this procedure. Debunking myths and speaking to your dentist about the procedure can help to put your mind at ease.