Few dental procedures are as feared as the root canal. Most of what people fear is outdated. Here is what really happens.
A root canal treatment is often the difference between saving a tooth and losing it. Yet many people delay it out of fear. Let us separate myth from fact.
Myth: It is extremely painful
Fact: The pain people remember is usually the toothache before treatment. With modern anaesthesia, the procedure itself feels much like having a filling.
Myth: It is better to pull the tooth
Fact: Your natural tooth is almost always the best option. Removing it leaves a gap that needs a bridge or an implant, and neighbouring teeth can drift.
Myth: Root canals make you sick
Fact: There is no reliable scientific evidence for this. The treatment removes infection; it does not cause it.
When should you see a dentist?
- Lingering pain after hot or cold food
- Pain when biting, or at night
- Swelling on the gum or face
- A darkening tooth
The earlier you come, the simpler the treatment usually is.
Have a question about your own teeth or skin?
Book a consultation — advice on the internet cannot replace an examination.
