26 Sep Root Canals: How They Help Save a Tooth
Hearing that you need a root canal can sound intimidating. But the truth is, root canals aren’t something to fear—they’re one of the most effective ways to stop the pain and save your tooth. Once you understand how root canals help and why you might need one, the whole idea will feel a lot less overwhelming.
How Do Root Canals Help?
When a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, you can end up with serious pain, swelling, or even an abscess. If the infection reaches the pulp chamber, the tooth will die. The pulp chamber contains all the blood vessels and nerves that connect to your tooth and keep it alive. That’s why tooth infections are so painful and so dangerous.
Oftentimes, a root canal procedure is the only way to clear out the infection in the pulp chamber and save the tooth. Your dentist will remove the damaged tissue, disinfect the inside, and seal it so the tooth can stay strong and healthy. The procedure not only relieves pain, it also prevents the need for a tooth extraction.
Why You Might Need a Root Canal
Not every toothache means you need a root canal! However, there are some common signs to watch for:
- Severe pain when chewing or biting down
- Sensitivity that lingers after eating hot or cold foods
- Swelling or tenderness around the gums
- Darkening or discoloration of the tooth (it might look gray or brown)
- A pimple-like bump on the gums under the painful tooth
Sometimes, there aren’t any obvious symptoms, which is why regular checkups are so important. Your dentist can spot the signs of infections on your digital scans, and offer treatment to keep it from spreading.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal Done
Root canal procedures are a routine treatment that’s perfectly save. With today’s techniques and numbing options, most patients say the procedure feels no worse than getting a cavity filled.
What surprises people most often is the immediate relief. Most patients come in with pain and leave feeling better.
A root canal also saves your natural tooth! Although you’ll still need a crown, getting a root canal helps you avoid more complicated and costly treatments like implants or bridges to replace a missing tooth.
Protect Your Smile with Preventive Dental Care
If you have tooth pain, don’t wait it out. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of saving your tooth.
At Hicks Dental Group, your comfort comes first. We’ll explain every step of the procedure, answer all of your questions, and make sure you feel at ease during your treatment.
If you think you might need a root canal or you’ve been living with tooth pain, contact us today. Relief is closer than you think!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (9/24/2025). Photo by Polina Zimmerman on Pexels