When a cavity goes untreated, or if you sustain some serious damage to your tooth, there is always a risk of a dental infection. With an infected tooth comes major aches and pain. Fortunately, we have a treatment option to address this issue and restore a tooth. We also have a few tips for our El Paso, TX, patients to help them avoid dental infections.
The Causes of an Infected Tooth
The pulp, a group of living tissues in the center of your tooth and within the root canals, keeps your tooth healthy and functional, overseeing the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth. When bacteria come into contact with the pulp, this can lead to an infected tooth. The infection will cause pain and sensitivity in the tooth, as well as difficulty eating, discharges from the tooth, swelling near the tooth, fever, and headaches. Unless treated, the infection could grow severe enough to warrant the tooth’s removal to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth. Factors behind an infection include untreated cavities and injury to the tooth, such as severe breakage or a dental fracture.
Preventive Steps
To avoid an infected tooth, try to wear a mouthguard when playing sports, as this could limit the chances of an injury. To prevent cavities, you should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session and also floss before going to bed. Try to cut back on sugary foods and drinks, which feed the harmful bacteria that cause cavities. We recommend seeing us every six months for a checkup and cleaning, so we can watch for the warning signs of cavities and infected teeth, and offer treatment to prevent them. A cleaning removes all plaque, which could weaken enamel and lead to a cavity and other serious complications.
Root Canal Therapy
But what if you already have an infected tooth? Then we need to perform a root canal! This involves administering a numbing agent before opening the tooth and removing the infected tissue from within. We then clean the insides of the tooth and root canals thoroughly. We will add a restorative material and finally, cap the tooth with a lifelike dental crown. In a single visit, we can address the issue and restore the health, beauty, and function of your tooth. If you have any questions, then please contact our team today to learn more!
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO ABOUT KEEPING SMILES HEALTHY
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, our team will help your smile stay healthy and functional. If you have questions about our root canal procedure, you can reach our East El Paso dental practice on 10039 Dyer St., at 915-859-7000!