Root Canals
101

WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL

Simple facts you didn't know

A root canal is a treatment that cleans out the sick nerve inside a tooth and seals it so the tooth can stay in your mouth. It is not a tooth removal, and it is not a treatment that “drills into your jaw” or leaves the tooth hollow and useless.

  • A dental procedure where the infected or damaged pulp (nerve and blood supply) inside a tooth is removed, then the space is cleaned, filled, and sealed.
  • A way to stop pain, remove infection, and save your natural tooth so you can still bite and chew normally.

MYTHS ABOUT ROOT CANALS

A Root Canal is Not

  • Not an extraction; the goal is to keep your real tooth, not pull it out.

 

  • Pulling teeth instead of saving them can lead to bone loss over time, causing the jaw to shrink and making your face look older or “sunken.”

 

  • Not a procedure that spreads infection; it actually removes bacteria and helps prevent serious dental or body health problems.

PROPER HYGIENE

Why Dental Hygiene Matters

Poor dental hygiene affects way more than just your teeth. It can impact your mouth, body, and even confidence.

Teeth and gums

  • Cavities that can lead to pain, infections, and sometimes root canals or extractions.

  • Gum disease (red, swollen, bleeding gums) that can eventually cause loose teeth or tooth loss.

Breath, appearance, and confidence

  • Bad breath that doesn’t go away, even with gum or mints.

  • Yellow, stained, or chipped-looking teeth that can make you feel embarrassed to smile or talk.

Jawbone and bite

  • Tooth loss that leads to jawbone shrinking over time and changes in face shape.

  • Shifting teeth that can mess up your bite, make chewing harder, and sometimes require braces or more treatment.

Sports, braces, and daily life

  • Higher risk of broken teeth or injuries if teeth and gums are already weak.

  • Extra problems around braces (white spots, decay) if plaque stays around brackets and wires.

Whole-body health and school

  • Mouth germs that can enter the bloodstream and add stress to your immune system.

  • Tooth pain or infections that make it hard to sleep, focus in class, eat well, or feel like being around other people.