Root Canal Awareness Week

May is here, which means it is time for Dental Care Awareness Month! This is the time that our dental office, and many others, focus on spreading the word about the importance of oral health. Good oral hygiene includes proper brushing, flossing, and healthy food choices. The integrity of our mouths and teeth are key to whole body health, so when you build good oral health habits, you are positively impacting your body for years to come.

May also means Root Canal Awareness Week! During the second week of May, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) sponsors a special campaign to celebrate the super heroes saving teeth across the country, and spotlights the signs and symptoms of a diseased or injured tooth. The AAE also uses it to educate the public about the benefits of the modern root canal treatment, and the value of saving natural teeth. In honor of Root Canal Awareness Week, our team is breaking down root canal procedures and the importance of emergency dentists in our community.

What exactly is a root canal treatment?

A root canal is a procedure that repairs and saves a badly damaged tooth, or one that is seriously infected, rather than removing it.

Who does it?

Instead of extracting a tooth, emergency dentists or an endodontist will clean the canals inside a tooth’s root, hence “root canal”. With modern dentistry and local anesthetics, most patients experience little to no pain during a root canal—in fact they are in more pain with a damaged or decayed tooth. The procedure takes roughly 90 minutes per tooth, and most patients are comfortable resuming their day afterwards—no major downtime is needed.

How do I know I need a root canal?

Signs and symptoms of an infected tooth include:

• Swelling around your face and neck
• A visible hole in your tooth
• A severe toothache or tooth pain
• Gum swelling
• Fever
• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, and to the pressure of chewing or biting
• Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck

Know that if you ever experience toothache or oral pain, our friendly experts and emergency dentists are here to help you. Whether you need a root canal or other treatment, or if you are simply looking for a family dentist, our experts have your utmost comfort in mind. Schedule an appointment today at (805) 541-0550. Our SLO Smiles family would be honored to care for you and your family.