You went to your dentist for the first time in several years and even though you were worried about what she might find, you didn’t expect that she would recommend a root canal. A root canal is a serious bit of work, and is considered oral surgery.
This is a process by which the dentist will cut down and essentially disable the nerve endings in the tooth. Usually when that cavity is so severe or there is a significant crack in the tooth, this will be advised because otherwise it will be incredibly painful for you to continue dealing with it into the future.
If the nerve is exposed, every time you eat something, brush her teeth, or do anything in your mouth, you could feel either a dull or sharp pain.
So what happens next?
You may be in a complete panic because you’ve heard a host of horror stories about canals. First of all, relax. While it is invasive surgery, it is not something to be completely freaked out about.
You need to schedule your root canal on a day when you can take off from work or school. Don’t try to be a hero and tell your boss you’ll be back shortly after the procedure. You simply don’t know how you’re going to react, either to the anesthetic or the pain when the anesthetic begins to wear off.
You should have somebody drive you to the appointment. Because you don’t know how your body is going to react to the anesthetic (and even if you’ve had anesthetic before and didn’t have a problem, things can change at any time for anyone), it’s best to have somebody drive you, just in case.
If you have any specific questions about the root canal, how it is going to affect your ability to brush, whether it will help to protect your teeth, or anything else, be sure to sit down and speak to your dentist to have your questions answered by him or her directly. Only a dentist truly knows the condition of your teeth, but if she called for a root canal, rest assured it’s a serious issue.