Teeth can become infected for a number of reasons. The most common causes include:

• deep cavity and tooth decay
• injury to the tooth
• cracked tooth
• repeated dental treatments or procedures

Root canal infections occur when bacteria infect the roots of your tooth. As the infection worsens, it can cause severe pain and swelling. You may also experience fever. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other areas of your body.

Root canals are a common procedure that dentists use to treat an infected tooth. During the procedure, our Central dentist removes all infected tissue from the roots of your tooth. They then seal your tooth to prevent future infections. This procedure can relieve your pain and save your tooth from needing to be extracted.

Symptoms of a Root Canal infection

The common symptoms of a root canal infection include the following:

• Persistent tooth pain
• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Swollen gums
• Loose teeth
• Foul taste in your mouth
• Tender teeth and gums
• Swollen glands 
• Pus around the tooth roots

How Is A Root Canal Treated?

During a root canal procedure, our Central dentist will numb the area around the tooth with an anesthetic. Once the area is numbed, your dentist will create a small opening in the crown of the tooth. They will remove the infected pulp from the tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Once it is removed, the pulp chamber and root canals are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Your dentist will then seal the tooth with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.

After the root canal treatment, your tooth may be more sensitive to temperature for a few days. You may also experience some pain and swelling. These symptoms can be relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs.

Benefits of Root Canal treatment

Root Canal treatment is a simple dental procedure that removes infected pulp and nerves from a tooth. Having a root canal procedure done can prevent the need for tooth extraction, ensure overall dental health, and spare you costly dental treatments in the future. Root Canal treatment is beneficial and can prevent complications.

At Greenwell Springs Family Dentistry, we offer high-quality dental care using state-of-the-art dental technologies. To learn more about our dental services, call Greenwell Springs Dentist at (225) 261-0043 or visit our dental office located at 14127 Greenwell Springs Road, Central, LA 70739.