If you’ve ever had a fear of in-depth dental procedures or root canals, you know you’d do anything to avoid an unnecessary trip to the endodontist. To help address those fears, it’s important to note that you can do key things in your normal routine to avoid those extra trips and procedures.

One of the most common issues that people face when they postpone dental work or don’t take care of their teeth is either an infection or a damaged root. In these instances, this would require a root canal.

Root canals are treatments involving the removal of the pulp located inside a tooth’s root. While root canals have come a long way and are not nearly as painful as people think, we can understand why people would want to avoid them.

Read our suggestions on how to avoid a trip to the endodontist, and the need for this procedure.

Clean Your Teeth on a Daily Basis

People typically understand brushing twice a day is a standard dental health practice. But few know why brushing two times a day is essential.

Bacteria and plaque build up on our teeth after coming in contact with all kinds of food and drink (good or bad). It’s important to remove these harmful materials to prevent them from damaging teeth. Flossing is especially important in the evening to remove food between teeth that could settle in and build plaque over time.

Some may think that brushing in the morning is not needed since teeth were cleaned the night before. The reason behind brushing again in the morning is that bacteria and plaque can reform while you sleep.

Bacteria from leftover food can lead to cavities which can then become rooted in the tooth and allow infection to develop. Once a tooth root begins to rot, it becomes unlikely to save without a root canal. Remember to keep up your daily oral hygiene and clean your teeth.

Avoid Problem Foods

Another way to prevent cracked or damaged teeth and a trip to the endodontist is to skip the hard, sticky, and acidic foods. Things like hard and chewy candies, fruit juices, and chewing on ice can damage your teeth and lead to complications. While it may seem like chewy candy may not make a big impact, they can coat the teeth with sugar that doesn’t immediately break down which can cause plaque buildup.

Acidic foods weaken the enamel around the tooth and make it easier for bacteria to grip on. This, combined with hard foods that can cause dental chipping, is a big problem.

One of the most important tips to avoid a trip to the endodontist is to keep your teeth strong and healthy by sticking to natural foods. If you do consume acidic or sugary foods, especially in large quantities, try and brush your teeth soon after.

Wear Protective Gear for Activities

A significant number of root canals are due to damaged or broken teeth. While some result from unavoidable impacts such as car collisions, many other accidents do not and are preventable.

Whenever you engage in sports or activities try to wear protective mouth guards and helmets. If you’re riding a bike or are in any sort of unprotected open vehicle, a helmet is especially important to avoid major facial trauma and dental impact.

Keep Your Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings

The discomfort and potential loss of your natural teeth can be avoided by seeing a dentist or endodontist regularly. These professionals are the only ones that can confirm your oral health is in good standing.

During a visit, your dental professional will clean, x-ray, and inspect your teeth. If they notice anything concerning, they can suggest ways to improve your hygiene, which, if caught early enough, could save you an extra trip to the endodontist and a root canal procedure.

Seeing your local dentist or endodontist on a regular basis represents the first line of defense and ensures your smile is protected from the worst happening. So really, a way to prevent a trip to the endodontist is by going to the endodontist — but the procedures and outcomes look very different.

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If you are someone needing to step into better dental health habits or are experiencing tooth pain, we recommend scheduling your appointment at Endodontic Specialists today!