Newswise — It used to be that painful toothaches were treated by pulling the tooth. Today, the tooth and its function often can be preserved with root canal treatment. The September issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter explains that while an infected tooth can be quite painful, the vast majority of root canal procedures are almost painless.
Decay that affects the tooth's root can be common in older adults. That's because gum tissue may recede with age, exposing the roots of teeth to a greater chance of breakdown due to bacteria.
Infections may not have any symptoms at all, or you may experience cold sensitivity, prolonged pain after the tooth is exposed to cold, spontaneous pain for no apparent reason, pain that occurs upon biting down on a tooth, severe toothache, or an enlarged area that drains along the gum line.
The dentist or a root canal specialist (endodontist) can repair the tooth by removing the pulp inside the tooth and tooth root so the area can be cleansed and enlarged. On a subsequent visit, the canal is filled with a rubber-like material and permanently sealed. The number of visits needed to complete the treatment depends on the severity of the infection.
In most instances, the treated and restored tooth will last as long as your other natural teeth if cared for properly, with flossing, brushing and regular visits to the dentist.
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and medical news. To subscribe, please call toll-free 800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.
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