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“I’d rather have a root canal!”

That’s the common go-to response to anything unpleasant. But, because the second week of May is “Root Canal Awareness Week,” let’s see if we can take some of the sting out of that cliché by examining just how much root canals actually improve lives!

The pulp chamber and root canals inside each tooth hold the tooth’s pulp, which is living tissue made of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Nerves and blood vessels in the chamber travel through the tooth’s roots, emerging from a small opening in each root tip to connect to your nervous and circulatory systems.

When the pulp inside your tooth is inflamed because of trauma or infection, it’s a condition called pulpitis. Swelling and pressure inside the tooth cause pain, which can be quite severe. If the tooth is left untreated, infection can spread and lead to bone, tissue, and tooth loss.

A root canal procedure treats irreversible pulpitis. You might need a root canal because an injury or trauma has damaged the root’s pulp. Or because a deep cavity or crack in the enamel has exposed the pulp tissue to bacterial infection. Or because serious gum disease has spread to the pulp via the tooth’s roots.

While severe tooth pain is often a symptom of pulpitis, you should see Dr. John Zarrella and Dr. Peter C. Rider if you experience any symptoms which might indicate pulp trauma or infection:

• Persistent tooth pain, which can be either dull or sharp and severe
• Pain when chewing or when pressure is placed on the tooth
• Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
• A cracked, broken, darkened, or discolored tooth
• Gum tissue near the tooth which is sore, red, or swollen
• A pus-filled bump, called an abscess, on the gums which persists or keeps recurring.

If you’ve been postponing a trip to the dentist because you’re anxious about root canal treatment, talk to your dental team at Zarrella Dentistry in Ashland about the various sedation options available to provide you with your most comfortable experience.

The root canal procedure itself is safe and straightforward:

• The area around the tooth is numbed.
• The dentist makes a small opening in the crown to allow access to the pulp inside.
• Very small instruments are used to remove infected and dead or dying tissue in the pulp chamber and root canals. The interior of the tooth is cleaned.
• The inside of the tooth and each root is shaped, filled with a biocompatible filling, and sealed.
• A temporary filling or crown is placed on the tooth to prevent food particles and bacteria from entering the site while a permanent crown is created.
• A permanent crown shaped and tinted to match your natural teeth will be placed at a later dental appointment.

The entire process usually takes from one to three visits. Any post-procedure discomfort or sensitivity typically lasts only a few days and is often treated with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, warm saltwater rinses, and ice packs. Dr. John Zarrella and Dr. Peter C. Rider will give you detailed instructions for your personalized aftercare.

With all this new information in mind, maybe it’s time to reframe the conversation about root canals!

I’d rather have a root canal . . . than suffer pain.

When a tooth is badly infected or damaged, the pain can be excruciating. Root canal procedures remove the cause of that pain, and many patients feel relief immediately after treatment.

I’d rather have a root canal . . . than lose a tooth.

Losing a tooth can affect your bite, your tooth alignment, your ability to eat, your speech, and your self-confidence.

I’d rather have a root canal . . . than damage my overall health.

Untreated tooth and gum infections can spread to other parts of the body, causing jawbone, face and neck, and, potentially, system-wide infection.

Timely dental care is essential for a lifetime of healthy smiles. If your dentist recommends root canal treatment, get all the facts on just how this procedure can protect and improve your dental health.

So, final thoughts on root canal procedures? They relieve our pain. They save our teeth. They can even safeguard our health. Just something to be aware of, this week and year-round!

A solid oral health routine begins with daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Without a consistent oral health regimen, you may begin to experience tooth decay and bacterial infections. Few patients ask Dr. John Zarrella and Dr. Peter C. Rider about different mouthwash options, so we’ve put together a list of the conditions that mouthwashes can treat. This should help you decide which oral rinse would be best for you.

Gum Health

Antiseptic mouthwashes reduce large amounts of bacteria on and near the gum line and generally help to decrease your chances of developing gingivitis. The key ingredients of antiseptic mouthwashes are antibacterial and antimicrobial items. Antiseptic mouthwash is a preferable option if you are concerned about the general gum health of your mouth.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a great tool for preventive tooth decay treatment. It prevents tooth decay and is great for oral health in general because it kills germs that can live in your mouth. Fluoride also builds stronger teeth. If you’re a bottled water drinker, Dr. John Zarrella and Dr. Peter C. Rider may recommend that you purchase a simple fluoride rinse to use after brushing.

Bad Breath

Fluoride mouthwash can be used to fight any bad breath issues you may be facing. It’s designed to combat any bacteria that might be building up in your mouth. Most mouthwashes will help eliminate bad breath, but some are specifically designed to address this difficult problem. If you feel as though this might be turning into a chronic problem, please contact Dr. John Zarrella and Dr. Peter C. Rider to discuss other options that would be effective for treating your symptoms.

American Dental Association (ADA Approval)

The ADA reviews all mouth rinses for safety measures and to prove effectiveness. Any mouthwash approved by the ADA has met strict guidelines according to whether the manufacturer’s claims are supported with scientific evidence. If you’re looking for a quality mouthwash, look for one that has the ADA seal of approval to ensure you have a great rinse for your mouth.

Considerations

When you’re trying to decide which mouthwash to pick, contact our Ashland or ask Dr. John Zarrella and Dr. Peter C. Rider during your next appointment. If you experience a burning sensation in the soft tissues of your mouth, be sure to discontinue use immediately. Avoid letting children under age six use a mouth rinse, and be sure to keep all mouthwashes out of the reach of children, because they contain alcohol and other substances that could be harmful.

Scientists have discovered tooth decay in specimens that are more than 15,000 years old. The ancients once thought that cavities were caused by something called “tooth worms” … Eew! They didn’t exist, of course, but how else could humans explain the holes that cavities make in teeth?

The appearance of cavities on a widespread basis is often traced to the rise of farming. The new diet filled with grains and carbs made our mouths a haven for cavity-causing bacteria. As we added more sugar to our diets, our teeth got worse.

The “tooth worm” idea didn’t completely disappear until the 1700s when scientists finally began to understand the process of dental caries. Once that part of the puzzle was solved, they began focusing on filling existing cavities and preventing new ones.

Dental Fillings Come of Age

Many different materials, including beeswax, cork, aluminum, tin, and even asbestos, have been used to fill the holes caused by dental decay. Sometime in the mid-1800s, however, dentists began to use metal fillings such as gold, platinum, silver and lead amalgams.

The amalgam we use today is mixed from liquid mercury, silver, tin, copper, zinc, and other metals, but some patients still like the look of a gold filling. Newer options include composite-resin fillings, which are made from a tooth-colored mixture of plastic resin and finely ground glass-like or quartz particles that form a durable and discreet filling. Porcelain or ceramic fillings are natural in color, but more resistant to staining.

Dr. John Zarrella and Dr. Peter C. Rider can help decide which filling is best for you, based on cost as well as your dental and lifestyle needs. You may not have “tooth worms,” but if you have cavities, contact our Ashland office so we can take the proper action to protect the health of your mouth.

By no stretch is it rare for your gums to hurt during and after flossing. Even some bleeding is to be expected. This is especially true if you have not flossed in a long time. However, if your gums do indeed hurt when you floss, and unbearably so, there are some things you can do.

Be Gentle

Perhaps the most obvious way to combat gum soreness and bleeding is to be gentle. One of the most common occurrences of these gum problems is over-aggressive flossing. In other words, if you are too rough on your gums while flossing, either because you are out of practice or because you are in a hurry, soreness and hurting is to be expected. Instead, try taking your time and be gentle. Also, if you are just starting out, be patient and consistent, your gums will become more conditioned over time.

Use an Alternative Method

If being consistent and gentle does not work, there are other alternative methods of flossing that you can try. You can also try a water floss machine, or what is sometimes called a water pick. The device essentially shoots water into the crevasses between your teeth, and in other areas of your mouth, in order to dislodge food and plaque. These oral instruments also come with different attachments that allow you to reach many of the hard to see and reach areas of your mouth. And lastly, you can always buy floss that is not as abrasive to your gums. There is floss that comes with soft and gentle coatings that will do less harm to your gums while they are adjusting to the good oral hygiene habit you are creating.

Flossing is one of the easiest parts of oral hygiene to overlook. When you first start out, it is common that you may want to stop because of the pain it can initially cause. However, if you try one, or all, of the above mentioned methods, you will give yourself the best chance of being success with your flossing, and it won't hurt as much.

For more flossing tips, schedule an appointment at our Ashland office and askDr. John Zarrella and Dr. Peter C. Rider or a member of our team!