Preventing Root Canals: What You Need to Know

If you find the thought of getting a root canal daunting, you are not alone. Many people fear this dental procedure because of its reputation for being uncomfortable and expensive. Fortunately, you can take steps to avoid needing a root canal, such as practicing good oral hygiene, getting regular cleanings, addressing pain, and wearing a mouthguard when playing sports. These effective strategies, combined with guidance from our caring team at Burien Endodontics, can help keep your teeth healthy.

We believe in proactive care to keep your teeth healthy. By addressing dental problems early and providing thorough assessments, we aim to prevent the need for root canal therapy whenever possible. Our skilled team is here to provide experienced guidance, advanced treatments, and the best care to preserve your teeth and minimize any discomfort. If you do need a root canal, we take a non-surgical approach for a pain-free, seamless path to strong teeth.

6 Tips to Prevent Root Canals

Despite endodontists and dentists performing over 15 million root canals in the U.S. yearly, many patients do everything possible to avoid this standard procedure. Root canal therapy is typically necessary when tooth decay or infection has reached a tooth’s center or pulp. This can happen from an untreated, deep cavity, trauma to the tooth, or a crack in the tooth that lets in bacteria. The following tips can help you avoid these issues that often require a root canal:

Brush and Floss Daily

Good oral hygiene is an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth and reducing your risk of cavities and infections that lead to the need for root canal therapy. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing once daily, and keeping your tongue clean. This helps remove bacteria and food particles that could get stuck in your teeth, harden, and cause tooth decay.

Get Regular Dental Cleanings

While brushing and flossing are crucial to maintaining oral health, you should also get regular dental cleanings to remove plaque, identify signs of decay early, and address concerns quickly to avoid dental problems worsening and needing a root canal.  

Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods

If you have a crown over a tooth, hard and sticky foods can potentially damage or dislodge your crown, exposing your tooth to bacteria. This can lead to further complications that require root canal therapy.

Don’t Ignore Pain

While a toothache or tooth sensitivity may seem normal, if it doesn’t go away or starts suddenly, it could be a sign of a deeper issue. Leaving cavities, infections, and other painful concerns untreated could lead to tooth damage that needs more extensive treatment, like root canal therapy. Contacting our team when you feel persistent pain in your teeth helps save you time and money and helps preserve your natural teeth.

Wear a Mouthguard

If you play sports, you should wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from cracking and breaking. A crack or chip in the tooth could expose it to bacteria, causing damage that has to be treated with root canal therapy.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking more water is part of the solution for many health concerns, including preventing the need for a root canal. Water helps rinse bacteria and food particles away from your teeth and helps you produce more saliva, which protects your teeth. Additionally, most tap water contains fluoride, which helps prevent cavities from developing into a serious issue that needs root canal therapy.

Contact the Experienced Team at Burien Endodontics to Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

At Burien Endodontics, we prioritize preserving your natural teeth and preventing the need for invasive treatments whenever possible. Our advanced diagnostic tools, including CBCT scans and digital imaging, allow us to assess potential concerns early, helping you avoid the discomfort and cost of a root canal. If treatment becomes necessary, we take a non-surgical, patient-focused approach to ensure a smooth and pain-free experience.

Don’t wait until discomfort turns into a serious dental issue—our team is here to help. Whether you’re experiencing tooth pain or want professional guidance on maintaining your oral health, we provide thorough assessments and state-of-the-art endodontic care. Contact us today at (206) 402-5147 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.