Our oral health is a common concern for many of us as we age. After all, who wouldn’t want to enter their golden years free from dental procedures like root canals?
While a root canal is designed to save a severely damaged or infected tooth, it’s best to avoid needing one in the first place where possible. The great news is that, with the right preventative care, you can significantly reduce the chances of ever needing a root canal.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected or damaged pulp – the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. When this pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to decay or injury, it can cause severe pain and lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp and seals it to prevent further infection. Although this procedure can save a tooth from extraction, avoiding it altogether is the goal. Root canal treatment can be time-consuming and sometimes uncomfortable, so focusing on prevention and maintaining excellent oral health is ideal.
When might root canal treatment be needed?
- Deep decay – If tooth decay reaches the inner pulp, it can cause infection and inflammation, necessitating a root canal.
- Cracked or broken teeth – Injury or wear and tear can cause cracks in teeth, which allow bacteria to enter and infect the pulp.
- Multiple dental procedures – Teeth that have been treated repeatedly, especially with fillings, may become more vulnerable to infection.
- Severe tooth trauma – Accidents or injuries can damage a tooth’s nerve even if no visible cracks are present, leading to infection.
10 tips to avoiding a root canal
- Regular dental appointments
Visiting our Garstang practice for regular check-ups allows our dentists to catch early signs of tooth decay, gum disease or damage that can lead to a root canal. This is especially important as you age because enamel begins to weaken naturally and gum recession can expose the tooth’s roots.
During a check-up, our dentists can spot small cavities or other issues and address them before they become serious. A professional cleaning also removes plaque and tartar that regular brushing and floss might miss.
- Brush at least twice a day
Proper brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth. As you age, your mouth may produce less saliva, which normally helps wash away food particles and bacteria. This makes it even more important to brush at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and protect against decay.
Focus on brushing for a full two minutes, ensuring you clean all tooth surfaces, especially the back teeth where decay is more likely to occur.
- Flossing and interdental cleaning is essential
While brushing is important, it alone cannot reach the spaces between your teeth where food particles and plaque often get trapped. Flossing and interdental cleaning at least once a day helps remove debris from these tight spaces, reducing the risk of decay and gum disease. Both of these conditions can lead to infection and potentially require a root canal if not treated early. For older adults, investing in water flossers can help make the process easier and more effective.
- Do not ignore pain
Tooth pain is a clear signal that something is wrong, yet many people choose to ignore it, hoping that it will go away on its own. Persistent pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, and discomfort when chewing could all be signs of infection or decay. Left untreated, these issues can worsen, eventually leading to the need for a root canal. If you experience tooth pain, book an appointment with our Lancashire dentists as soon as possible to address the problem before it escalates.
- Wear a mouthguard
Grinding your teeth at night (bruxism) or during stressful situations can cause enamel wear and cracks that make your teeth more susceptible to decay and infection. Similarly, playing contact sports without proper protection can result in dental trauma. A custom-made mouthguard can protect your teeth from damage caused by grinding or physical impact. If you suspect you clench your teeth at night, talk to our dentists about getting a mouthguard to avoid unnecessary damage.
- Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods
As we age, our teeth become more susceptible to damage from hard and sticky foods. Hard sweets and unpopped popcorn can crack or chip teeth, while sticky foods like toffee can cling to the surface of the teeth, increasing the risk of decay. Be mindful of the foods you eat and avoid anything that could damage your teeth.
- Drink more water
Water helps us to maintain a healthy mouth, especially as we get older and natural saliva production decreases. Saliva washes away food particles and neutralising harmful acids produced by bacteria. Drinking more water throughout the day helps keep your mouth hydrated and reduces the likelihood of decay.
- Limit acidic foods and drinks
Highly acidic foods and drinks can erode enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay. To protect your smile, limit your intake of acidic foods and drinks. When you do indulge, rinse your mouth with water afterwards to neutralise the acids and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.
- Do not use your teeth as tools
Using your teeth to open packages or any other task they were not designed for is a quick way to crack or chip them. These small injuries can allow bacteria to enter the inner layers of your teeth, leading to decay or infection. Resist the urge to use your teeth as tools – keep scissors and bottle openers nearby to avoid damaging your smile.
- Restore any lost or damaged teeth
Missing or damaged teeth can cause a misalignment in your bite, which puts extra pressure on the remaining teeth. Replacing lost teeth with crowns or implants helps maintain the function of your bite, protecting your other teeth from unnecessary stress. Promptly addressing damaged teeth with restorative dental work can prevent further problems and reduce the need for more invasive treatments like root canals.
Protect your smile by visiting our Lancashire practice
Root canal treatment is highly effective at saving damaged teeth, but it’s best to avoid the need for one by taking proactive steps to protect your smile.
At Staina House Dental Practice, we are committed to helping you maintain your oral health through preventative care. If you haven’t had a routine check-up recently or are experiencing any discomfort, don’t wait – book your appointment today. Call our friendly team on 01995 605707 now.
