Root Canal and Your Overall Health: The Link Between Oral and Systemic Health
Various kinds of research show that oral health is linked to systemic health. Keeping your mouth healthy can help keep your entire body healthy. One of the ways to keep your mouth healthy is to visit a dentist near you for treatments. Continue reading to learn the connection between a root canal and your overall health.
What Is a Root Canal?
It is a procedure to remove diseased or dead pulp from a tooth. The dental pulp is tissue containing nerves and blood vessels found in the tooth roots or canals. These tissues can get infected or damaged due to deep decay or dental trauma.
When this happens, the dental pulp will die, causing intense pain and sensitivity. Once the tissues inside the tooth die, the tooth will become weak and prone to damage. A root canal treatment near you eliminates the infection and eases the symptoms. It also strengthens the tooth preventing further damage that leads to extraction. Also, the tooth will be attractive.
The Link Between Root Canals and Systemic Health
Tooth infections occur when bacteria reach the pulp and damage the tissues. When the condition remains untreated, bacteria move, spreading the disease to other tissues. In addition, the bacteria spread to the bloodstream through your gums.
As a result, you will develop diseases that affect your heart and kidney. The disorders may also affect your gastrointestinal, nervous and endocrine systems. As a result, the systemic diseases will affect your entire body.
Fortunately, a root canal treatment in Columbia can prevent systemic diseases caused by oral bacteria. First, the dentist will remove all bacteria and diseased tissues during the root canal. Afterwards, they will seal the hole in the tooth using a dental filling. They will then place a dental crown over the tooth. As a result, the tooth will not become reinfected.
Proper Dental Care and Prevention
You can prevent the need for a root canal treatment through proper dental care. Below are tips from the dentist in Columbia for appropriate dental care and prevention.
- Maintain healthy teeth and gums by brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Visit or take your child to the dentist near you for regular dental cleanings.
- Prevent cavities by getting your child dental sealants and fluoride treatments.
- Ensure that your child uses a customized mouthguard during sports. They reduce the risk of dental trauma. The device will cushion their teeth during impact and keep them from breaking, chipping or cracking and affecting the pulp. So they will not need a root canal.
- Do not chew hard foods that can break or fracture your teeth. Keep things like jawbreakers away from your kids.
- Visit the dentist regularly for checkups. If you have any cavities or damaged teeth, they will treat them before a tooth infection occurs.
Root Canals for Kids
Root canal treatments are also recommended for kids because they, too, can get tooth infections. The treatments help save a primary tooth from premature extraction. As a result, your baby will not be toothless. Saving primary teeth also helps permanent teeth develop correctly. This prevents the need for future orthodontic treatment.
Baby root canals are less invasive and faster than adults. The dentist may perform a pulpotomy or pulpectomy. A pulpotomy is performed on a tooth with a healthy root. The dentist removes the infected pulp and fills the area to prevent reinfection. A pulpectomy is carried out when the dental pulp infection has extended to the tooth roots.
After treating the tooth, the dentist may use a crown to strengthen the tooth and prevent reinfection. They may use a stainless steel crown for primary teeth and zirconia or porcelain for permanent teeth. Pediatric dental crowns for primary teeth fall off, with the baby tooth giving way to adult teeth. They are customized to ensure your baby’s teeth are healthy and functional.
Conclusion
Does your child complain of a toothache or sensitivity when they take cold or hot things? Do they have signs of tooth infection, such as gum swelling, tenderness and pimples on their gums? If their symptoms are accompanied by fever or malaise, contact us at Kids First Dental-Columbia. We will diagnose their problem and, if necessary, perform a pediatric root canal.