The news of "you might need a root canal" is not quite welcome, but it is not something to be feared, it is a procedure that will save your tooth. They are usually recommended by a dentist in Jensen Beach when the soft tissue found in the tooth, known as the pulp, is infected or inflamed.

Typically this occurs due to one of the following: an untreated deep cavity, a crack in the tooth that has allowed bacteria to seep in or years and years of dental work on the same tooth. Common symptoms are persistent pain, feeling heat or cold in the affected tooth that does not subside rapidly, or swelling around the affected tooth. In some cases, there is no pain whatsoever, so it is vital to have routine checkups.

A dentist in Jensen Beach will take out the infected pulp during the procedure, clean the inner of the tooth and seal it to prevent the tooth from infecting further. Though people may have negative associations with root canals, they are generally not as uncomfortable as people think and do not actually cause pain, they alleviate it.

When an alternative is considered extraction the whole tooth is removed, and that's why a root canal may be the less painful option that allows you to keep your natural smile. Don't put off seeing a dentist when you have an ongoing toothache. A dentist in Jensen Beach will be able to decide if a root canal is the best way to go.