It is important to see your general dentistry office twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups and to make sure you do not need any procedures like a root canal. The cleanings will not only remove plaque that is building up on your teeth which reduces tooth decay, but this will also help prevent gum disease. Sometimes your general dentist might need to fill a tooth, and these are all great preventative measures that will save you trouble down the road.
There are also times when your general dentistry office needs to do procedure. Maybe you have a broken tooth that needs a veneer or a crown, or perhaps you need something bonded. While these procedures are more involved, they will all help you feel better about your smile and help your teeth last longer, but what about a tooth that becomes infected?
When a dentist finds an infected tooth, this is one of the times he or she will recommend this type of procedure, and there are other times for this recommendation as well.
When a tooth becomes infected, it means that bacteria have made it inside the tooth's interior space, known as the pulp cavity. The pulp that lives inside this cavity is made of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This is not only very painful, but it poses a serious threat to your overall health.
When an infection gets into the pulp of a tooth, it spreads out into the jaw and the gums. This could cause deterioration of your jaw which can weaken the foundation that the other teeth sit on and alter the appearance of your face. This infection could also spread into your facial tissue, ears, and neck.
If the infection gets into your bloodstream, it could spread to your heart and cause damage there. If the infection crosses the blood-brain barrier, it could colonize your brain and form an abscess. Your brain would respond by swelling, and this would put pressure against your skull, causing damage throughout your brain.
When your dentist finds that the enamel of your teeth has been broken through by either a chip, a break, or a deep cavity, they will likely recommend this type of therapy. This is because the dentist knows that the enamel of the tooth creates such a tight seal that bacteria is not able to penetrate it and enter the pulp of the tooth. When this seal has been broken, it cannot be replaced, and now the only way to keep the tooth and protect you from infection is a root canal.
Swollen gums are usually a sign of gum disease, which can be treated one way, but swollen gums with tooth pain are usually a sign that a root canal is needed. This is because the gums are swollen because of infection, and the pain in the tooth is an indication that the infection is coming from inside a tooth. Listening to your dentist's advice can save you a lot of trouble, and potential expense down the road, so play it safe, and you will be much better off.
Request an appointment here: https://robertperlerdds.com or call Robert F. Perler DDS, MS, FAGD at (914) 636-8082 for an appointment in our New Rochelle office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in New Rochelle, NY.
Preventive dentistry centers around a few core values: Practice good daily oral hygiene, never skip a dental cleaning and avoid sugar. Steering clear of sugary food and drinks is one of the pillars of dentistry.Read on to discover the seven things you need to know about the connection between sugar and tooth health.The mouth is…
An abscessed tooth most likely will not go away on its own. If the symptoms become severe or exist for an extended period of time, then you may need to visit an emergency dentist to promptly treat the dental abscess. There are different treatment options an emergency dentist may recommend to treat an abscessed tooth. An…
Teledentistry is making headway as a growing number of people in the U.S. have shown interest in a more convenient way to get the treatment they need from dentists and other healthcare providers. It is becoming even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many dentists are now limiting treatments to only emergency care to…
Understanding what happens during a general dentist visit allows patients to know what to expect. They are then more likely to undergo any necessary treatment that they need for good oral health. Knowing what to expect also helps those who experience dental anxiety.Wondering if a general dentist in New Rochelle can provide you with the…
Anyone considering dental veneers should understand the details of how they work to help determine if they are candidates. These thin, shell-like pieces are a cosmetic dentistry treatment that enhances the overall appearance of the teeth. Here are the various ways that general dentists utilize veneers for their patients.Veneers are thin porcelain shells that a…
If you have recently replaced a mouthful of teeth, you are probably adjusting to new dentures. Although dentures greatly improve your smile, this does not mean you immediately become used to wearing them. The good news is there are methods you can use to help adjust, and in about a month, your dentures should start…