If you are experiencing pain or discomfort when chewing your food, you could be suffering from an infection in the root canal. Pain can cause eating to be an unpleasant experience and may even make people dread meal times and develop an unhealthy relationship with food. If you are in pain when you eat, you must contact a dental specialist, such as Welling Corner Dental.
Root Canal Infections
It is easy to assume that tooth pain when eating is caused by a sensitive, broken or decaying tooth and that a filling may be the answer. However, root canal infections cannot be resolved by a filling.
What Is A Root Canal Infection?
A root canal infection is the result of damaged tooth enamel, which enables bacteria to reach a tooth’s soft tissue and dentin area. The first sign of a root canal infection is often a toothache that increases in intensity. If this is not addressed, it will escalate, and the bacteria will reach the root canal. This causes a root canal infection and is usually accompanied by intense pain.
Root Canal Infection Treatment
A tooth with a root canal infection cannot be fixed with a regular filling. Root canal treatment is a procedure performed under local anaesthetic. The nerve and infected tissue are removed and the hollow canal is cleaned to ensure all bacteria are eliminated. The canals are then filled using an inert filling substance. A crown is often used to seal the tooth as the final step.
Once a tooth has received root canal treatment, it will no longer have the feeling that the other teeth have due to the nerve removal. The tooth will remain strong but not quite as strong as other teeth and without sensation. The patient is advised to chew with caution as they may not be able to judge the pressure on the tooth.
Root canal treatment shouldn’t hurt when it is being performed as the anaesthetic numbs the area. However, the patient can expect to have some mild aching for a few hours after the numbness wears off.
Tooth Maintenance
Treated teeth should be cared for in the same way as regular teeth. This involves brushing twice daily for two minutes and regular flossing. Gum disease can affect the area around a treated tooth the same as any other part of the mouth, so oral hygiene is paramount. Any signs of gum disease should be addressed swiftly by a visit to a dental specialist.
For information on oral hygiene and root canal treatment, contact Welling Corner on 0208 3037445.
