New Patients (587) 317-7959

Existing Patients (587) 353-5060

New Patients (587) 317-7959

Existing Patients (587) 353-5060

520 3rd Ave SW Unit #245
Calgary, AB
T2P 0R3

When a Tooth Gets Sick

Like any other part of your body, your teeth aren’t immune to illness and disease. Hungry bacteria are always on the hunt for new surfaces to colonize and the constant grinding and munching of food takes a toll on enamel. The good news is that proper oral hygiene and care can go a long ways towards keeping your smile bright and healthy. However, there do come times where teeth are too sick to get well on their own and require further treatment.

woman missing a tooth

Root Canals

A root canal is a common dental procedure that serves to remove and replace pulp that has been infected. The pulp is the soft tissue of your tooth, protected by the  solid layer of dentin and the hard layer of enamel. It’s a crucial component of the tooth, containing blood vessels and nerves that supply nutrients to the tooth and connect it to the rest of your body. However, once your tooth is fully grown, it no longer is reliant on the pulp for sustenance as the surrounding tissue is able to make up for it. Infected pulp can be extremely damaging to the affected tooth and the surrounding tissue if it becomes inflamed or if the infection starts to spread. For this reason, a root canal to replace the infected pulp with an inert material is beneficial. Modern treatments have improved the root canal process immensely, and you shouldn’t notice any change in your chewing or bite patterns. Moreover, having a root canal done will protect other teeth from also getting infected and suffering a similar fate.

Tooth Extractions

Teeth are remarkably strong, but even they can’t stand up to everything. A dental extraction may be necessary if a tooth is simply too damaged to repair. This can occur if the tooth has undergone significant decay, been subjected to severe periodontal disease, or if it’s been chipped or otherwise physically damaged as a result of an accident. From an orthodontic perspective, sometimes tooth removal is the only way that enough space can be created for other teeth to grow properly. Although it may sound painful, tooth extractions are generally pretty straightforward and don’t hurt that much thanks to local anesthesia. After your tooth has been removed, ensure that you apply pressure to the area using a soft gauze swab. Regular bleeding is normal for up to many hours after the removal, but you can always consult your dentist if you’re worried. It’s important to keep in mind that a tooth extraction is only prescribed if its deemed to be more beneficial than harmful. In these scenarios, removing the tooth is the only way to properly treat the issue!

Have a sore tooth that needs to be looked at? Centennial Smiles is standing by! Call us today at (587) 317-7959.

Centennial Smiles Logo

520 3rd Ave SW Unit #245
Calgary, AB
T2P 0R3

New Patients: (587) 317-7959
Existing Patients: (587) 353-5060
Email: [email protected]

© 2024 Centennial Smiles Dental and Dental Growth Strategies | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Dental Growth Strategies

Don't have Facebook?

Call us at (587) 317-7959