3 Root Canal Myths and Realities

Root canals can be scary for some people. Your dentist in St. Cloud, MN can help make the experience of getting a root canal less scary. Another way to make the experience less stressful is to educate yourself about root canals and what they’re like. Root canals can get a bad reputation among dental patients. Many people think that root canals are painful, and that can make them even scarier!

In this article, we’ll address three root canal myths and talk about root canal realities so you can understand root canals better. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Myth: Root canals hurt.

Reality: Root canals shouldn’t be painful. During the root canal, the dentist will numb the area before starting root canal therapy. Many patients also get sedation before getting their root canal. Sedation doesn’t stop pain, but it can make the patient indifferent to discomfort.

Overall, many patients report little or no pain during their root canal. Many people report pain before the root canal starts but not during the root canal. This is because people who need a root canal have a tooth infection. Dental infections can be painful.

2. Myth: My tooth doesn’t hurt, so I do not need a root canal.

Reality: Dental infections are often painful, but not always. It’s important to see your dentist twice annually, even if you’re not noticing signs of a dental problem. If you have a dental infection, your dentist can tell, even if you can’t.

3. Myth: Better to extract your tooth than to get a root canal.

Reality: If your dentist doesn’t give you a root canal, you will need a tooth extraction. While some people would prefer to get a tooth extraction, it’s much harder to get an artificial tooth installed than it is to get a root canal to save your natural tooth. Getting a prosthetic tooth can be time-consuming and expensive. If you have the option of getting a root canal, that’s best!

Want to know more about root canals? Talk to your dentist at Friesz Family and Cosmetic Dentistry about root canals in St. Cloud, MN.