For longer than you can remember, you’ve dealt with sensitivity in one of your molars on the lower left side of your mouth. Even though you use sensitivity toothpaste and floss often, the pain doesn’t go away. In fact, it’s been increasing lately – your tooth bothers you even if you’re not chewing or drinking hot coffee or ice water. You want to find a long-term solution to your dental malady, but you don’t know what treatment your dentist might recommend. When you talk with the team at Peterson & Cammack Dentistry, they mention that root canals in Lacey can put an end to your pain.
Why Are My Teeth So Sensitive?
Teeth become sensitive and painful for many reasons – most often because of damaged enamel and exposed tooth roots.
- Tooth Decay – This condition is problematic because it causes small holes in the mineral covering of your teeth. When the enamel becomes worn, it leaves the dentin exposed leading to the discomfort you’re familiar with.
- Brushing Too Hard – Aggressive impact to your teeth – either from brushing too hard or using a hard toothbrush – can compromise your enamel in the same way that tooth decay can, leaving it worn down, and susceptible to infection and pain.
- Acid Erosion – Eating lemons, pickles, and tomatoes, or enjoying coffee and red wine can erode your enamel, leading to sensitivity and even infection after the top layer of your teeth is eaten away. You might also experience this if you have gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD).
- Gum Disease – Periodontal disease – an infection of the gums and the bone that supports the teeth – can cause you pain. Bacteria can thrive in gum pockets this disease creates, destroying vital tissue and leaving sensitive tooth roots exposed.
- Compromised Teeth – If you have a large, complex cavity, or a chipped or broken tooth, the fact that your teeth are not healthy will allow them to fall victim to destructive bacteria. When infection creeps into teeth that are already compromised, an infection is a common outcome.
What Can I Do About The Pain?
All of the conditions listed above can cause your teeth to become infected. This, along with inflammation, is what causes the pain you feel.
Luckily for you, Dr. Peterson and Dr. Cammack can address these issues to relieve your pain and treat the underlying problem. If your tooth is infected, sensitivity toothpaste won’t be able to cure the infection. The best course of action to treat an infected tooth is to perform a root canal.
What Is A Root Canal?
In endodontic treatment, your dentist in Lacey will address the pain and infection through the process below.
- We’ll use local anesthetic to numb the problem area to make sure you’re completely comfortable.
- Your dentist will access the diseased tooth pulp which is causing your pain and remove this part of the tooth. Since the infected tissue is what’s making your tooth ache, this part of the procedure will eliminate your pain.
- We will clean the area thoroughly to prevent future infections from occurring. Then, the team will fill in the portion where the tooth pulp was with a biocompatible substance.
- A filling or crown will be placed over the root canal substance to protect the area and make sure it stays healthy in the future.
Now that you understand why you might need a root canal and how they can help with pain and sensitivity, schedule your appointment with Peterson & Cammack Dentistry and put an end to the pain today!