When a tooth is severely decayed or infected, a root canal procedure can repair and save the tooth. During this process, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the tooth’s interior is thoroughly cleaned and sealed to prevent further infection.
What Is a Root Canal?
The term “root canal” refers to the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. This space houses the tooth’s nerve and pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth). While the nerve plays a role in sensing hot and cold, it is not essential for the tooth’s health or functionality. Therefore, removing the nerve does not hinder the normal use of the tooth.
Why Is a Root Canal Needed?
A root canal becomes necessary when:
- Severe decay or deep fillings cause irritation or infection.
- The tooth is cracked, chipped, or has experienced facial trauma.
- Bacteria infect the pulp, leading to inflammation, abscesses, or serious complications.
When left untreated, infections can:
- Spread beyond the tooth roots, forming abscesses.
- Cause bone loss around the root tips.
- Create drainage holes in the tooth, gums, or skin.
- Result in swelling that can spread to the face, neck, or head.
Symptoms That Indicate a Root Canal
- Persistent tooth pain, especially when chewing or applying pressure.
- Tooth discoloration or darkening.
- Tenderness and swelling of the gums.
- Recurring pimple-like blemishes on the gums.
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
What to Do
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your dentist or an endodontist (a specialist in diagnosing and treating dental pulp issues). Early intervention can save your tooth and prevent further complications.
If you live in the Meriden area and need a root canal, contact our dental office today to schedule your consultation.
Life can be full of frustrations, demands, deadlines, and inconveniences. For lots of people, stress is a way of life. The problem is that when you’re constantly stressed out, your health can pay the price. There are many health conditions that are caused or worsen due to high stress levels, but did you know that your mouth may be affected in the form of teeth grinding?
What is teeth grinding?
The condition of grinding or gnashing your teeth together is called bruxism, and often includes clenching your jaw. It commonly happens while sleeping, so that you may not even realize you’re doing it. Sometimes a sleeping partner hears it, or your dentist may recognize the signs of unusual wear on your teeth.
What does my stress level have to do with it?
Teeth grinding has been linked to stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that people who are stressed from daily life and don’t have adequate coping methods are more likely to grind their teeth. Experts say that both adults and children facing stress sometimes cope by grinding their teeth.
How does teeth grinding affect me?
Grinding your teeth has more negative effects than you might think. It often causes headaches, earaches, and sleep problems. It can cause chipped, loose, cracked, or sensitive teeth. Tooth enamel can suffer excessive wear, and gum tissue may be damaged. Teeth grinding also often causes a painful jaw disorder of the temporomandibular joint, commonly called TMJ.
What can I do about it?
Your dentist may recommend wearing an over-the-counter or custom mouthguard at night, to protect your teeth from further damage. Medications usually are not helpful, although a muscle relaxant before bed may help prevent jaw clenching. The ideal treatment is to try to reduce or eliminate stress that may be contributing to your teeth grinding. Relaxation therapy, stress management, corrective exercises, and counseling are some of the options that dentists suggest to help you remedy the problem.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Meriden dental office.
When the tooth pulp located at the center of your tooth becomes damaged or infected, root canal therapy is often the best solution to save the tooth. Despite its undeserved reputation, root canal therapy is a safe, effective, and relatively painless treatment. Ignoring the signs of pulp damage can lead to worsening conditions, so recognizing the symptoms early is key to preserving your tooth and preventing advanced dental issues.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
In some cases, there may be no obvious signs of pulp damage, which is why regular dental visits are so important. Through examinations, X-rays, and other tests, your dentist can identify problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. However, when symptoms do occur, they often include:
- Pain: Tooth pulp inflammation, caused by deep decay, chipped or cracked teeth, faulty crowns, infection, tooth grinding, or repeated dental work, often triggers pain. Pressure inside the pulp cavity can activate the tooth’s nerves, causing discomfort in the tooth itself or radiating to other areas of your mouth. Sensitivity to hot or cold and pain while chewing are also common.
- Gum Swelling: Swelling in the gums near the affected tooth can signal pulp damage or infection.
- Facial Swelling: Swelling in the face near the damaged tooth may indicate a more severe issue.
- Tooth Loosening: A loose tooth may be a sign that the infection or inflammation is compromising the tooth’s stability.
- Pus: The presence of pus around the damaged tooth is a strong indicator of infection.
- Tooth Discoloration: Damaged pulp can eventually cause your tooth to darken, but this typically happens gradually over weeks, months, or even years. This is another reason regular dental checkups are essential.
Why Root Canal Therapy is Important
If you experience any of these symptoms or if your dentist detects a problem during an examination, it’s crucial to act quickly. Root canal therapy not only saves your natural tooth but also maintains the function and aesthetics of your smile. Saving your tooth is almost always better than replacing it because:
- Your natural biting abilities and sensations are preserved.
- You avoid the need for costly replacements like dental implants or bridges.
- Your tooth remains intact, keeping your smile complete and functional.
Don’t let misconceptions about root canal therapy hold you back. If you suspect pulp damage, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Meriden right away. Prompt treatment can save your tooth, eliminate pain, and restore your oral health.
Do you live in Meriden or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
Experts recommend that each family member see a dentist every six months for optimal oral health, and one of the easiest ways to ensure this is by establishing a relationship with a qualified family dentist. Family dentists are trained to care for patients of all ages and oral conditions, so you can get the dental care your entire family needs in one location.
During a typical dental checkup, the dentist will examine your mouth, take X-rays if necessary, and perform a professional cleaning. They will also check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other potential issues. These regular visits are key to maintaining good oral health.
In addition to the routine treatments, it’s also important to have an open conversation with your family dentist about your oral and overall health. Discuss any changes in your oral condition, pain or discomfort, medications you’re taking, or any other health concerns. Your oral health can be closely linked to your general well-being, so being thorough in these discussions is vital.
Family dentists are experienced in handling various concerns, including dental anxiety, which is common among both children and adults. They are skilled at working with patients of all ages, including seniors, who may have specific needs. If necessary, family dentists can refer you to specialists such as orthodontists, endodontists, or oral surgeons to ensure comprehensive care for all your dental needs.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Hergott is accepting new patients from Meriden and the surrounding area.
While maintaining good oral health is essential, it’s not the only aspect to consider when it comes to your smile. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on creating the most attractive smile for you, transforming crooked, discolored, or otherwise imperfect teeth into a smile you’ll be proud to show off.
As a growing field, cosmetic dentistry has become increasingly popular. The goal is to help you achieve a smile that not only looks beautiful but will also last for a lifetime. You can easily find a cosmetic dentist by asking for recommendations from friends and family, conducting online research, or consulting your general dentist for referrals.
Modern cosmetic dentists use advanced technologies to offer the latest treatment options. Some common procedures performed by cosmetic dentists include:
- Teeth Whitening – Brightening the color of your teeth and minimizing stains
- Veneers – Attaching porcelain shells to the fronts of your teeth to cover imperfections
- Implants and Crowns – Restoring missing teeth for improved appearance and function
- Bonding – Using composite resin to repair chips and fill gaps
- Contouring – Reshaping teeth to enhance their look
- Braces – Straightening teeth and correcting jaw misalignment
In addition to improving your smile, visiting a cosmetic dentist often ensures a comfortable experience. Many procedures are painless, and those that may cause discomfort can be managed with sedation techniques. Sedation dentistry is also available to help patients who experience anxiety or fear about dental visits.
If you’re dissatisfied with your smile, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to discover the options available for transforming your appearance.
Schedule a consultation today to explore our Cosmetic Dentistry options at our Meriden dental office.
It’s back-to-school time and that means kids everywhere will be participating in sports. It’s time for football, soccer, volleyball, and all sorts of sports teams to get back in shape. That not only means conditioning your body, but also getting all the right gear. One item that you don’t want to forget is a mouth guard to protect yourself from mouth and facial injuries.
Dentists recommend mouth guards for participants in both high-impact sports and individual sports. Team sports often resulting in mouth injuries include football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and hockey. Individual sports that carry high risks include cycling, gymnastics, skateboarding, martial arts, and rollerblading.
Mouth guards are worn to protect the mouth from a variety of possible injuries. They may be minor like a chipped or cracked tooth, or cuts from biting the inside of your mouth. Worse injuries can occur like jaw fractures, and athletes might experience tooth loss or nerve damage. Fractures can cause difficulty breathing, swallowing, eating, or speaking.
Dentists suggest that many sports injuries can be avoided by wearing a mouth guard, and they are available for athletes of all skill sets and ages. They are available in most sporting good stores, or you can opt to have customized mouth guards created by your dentist. Mouth guards are even available in a wide variety of colors, so athletes can choose them to coordinate with their school colors. They are also useful for people who wear traditional braces or Invisalign retainers.
Because many sports can be risky, there’s no reason to ignore the danger to your mouth. Wear a mouth guard to protect your smile throughout the season.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Hergott is accepting new patients from Meriden and the surrounding area.
