Treating Toothaches with a Root Canal Procedure

Teeth are made of various tissues as well as a series of nerves and blood vessels. This mass of soft tissue is called the pulp, which enables the teeth to perceive heat and cold. As useful as that sounds, the pulp becomes a serious liability when the tooth begins to rot, which can result in a nasty toothache.

Toothaches are caused either through pulp exposure due to damage or dental caries, or by being infected by the decay itself. The pain is further aggravated by invading bacteria that infect both the tooth and pulp, thereby inflaming the tissue and possibly causing pus buildup as well. This condition could lead to tooth loss, or develop further into critical bone loss and drainage problems with the pus.

To treat this horrible and excruciating condition, your dentist may have to perform a root canal. The procedure involves extracting the infected pulp, and then cleaning the hollowed tooth. The tooth could then be filled in to cap off the cavity formed. Those worried about having their pulp permanently removed shouldn't fret as they're only losing the tooth’s ability to perceive heat and cold. It's a small price to pay for preventing uncomfortable and constant pain.