7 Smart Tips for Preventing a Root Canal

Ah, the dreaded root canal! Even if you’ve never had one, this dental treatment can conjure up anxiety and fear. People fear root canals, thinking they’re complex treatments when they’re common procedures that can relieve decayed or damaged teeth and toothache. Naturally, it’s better to prevent problems that require invasive treatments like root canals whenever possible. Good oral care minimizes your risk of infection and decay, making a root canal unnecessary.

Dr. Jonathan Kelley from Kelley Family Dental Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers the following tips on preventing root canal treatment.

1. Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

Good oral care is key to keeping your smile in optimal health. Dr. Kelley recommends brushing at least twice daily and flossing daily, preferably before bed, to keep decay and gum disease at bay. Rinse your mouth with water after meals to cleanse your teeth of food and debris. Use an antibacterial mouthwash to control plaque and reduce your risk of cavities.

2. Schedule Routine Dental Visits

Routine checkups and professional cleanings are effective deterrents against decay, oral infections, and gum disease. Dental checkups allow Dr. Kelley to spot and address problems as they develop to keep them from escalating into serious issues. Dental cleanings help keep plaque and tartar under control to help reduce the risk of problems from occurring in the first place.

3. Eat Healthily

Your dietary choices can make or break your smile! Processed, sugar-filled, acidic foods will weaken your teeth, putting you at risk of cavities. In contrast, a healthy diet rich in calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins and minerals will contribute to strong tooth and gum health.

4. Treat Dental Problems Quickly

If you’ve been told you have a small cavity or early signs of gum disease, get treatment immediately to keep bacteria from spreading and causing more damage to your teeth. Dr. Kelley can nip these problems in the bud early to avoid a root canal in the future.

5. Protect Your Teeth from Accidental Injury

If you play sports or partake in outdoor activities that put your teeth at risk, wear a mouthguard or use protective facial gear to avoid accidental injuries. Prevention is easier and less costly than having to undergo restorative treatment.

6. Avoid Hard Foods

Eating hard candies and other hard foods can easily crack a tooth. A cracked tooth is ripe for infection and decay. An infection that enters the pulp of your tooth can only be treated with a root canal.

7. Manage Bruxism Symptoms

If you grind your teeth while you sleep, take measures to manage your symptoms. Dr. Kelley may recommend wearing a night guard to prevent this condition from damaging teeth. Untreated bruxism can lead to chipped, cracked, or broken teeth and the eventual need for root canal treatment.

Root Canal Prevention Near Me

For quality dental care to prevent root canal treatment, contact Dr. Jonathan Kelley from Kelley Family Dental Center in Albuquerque, NM, at 505-207-3343.

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