Just the mere mention of root canal is enough to set even full-grown adults to quaking in fear. Indeed, the reputation of this particular dental procedure precedes its actual practice. The dental care industry, however, is committed to rectifying this situation by working to change the long-held and incorrect impressions regarding root canal.
It is especially important that the fears around root canal be corrected in the minds of teenagers and young adults who are particularly susceptible to periodontal diseases as well as tooth decay. The truth is that if they are afraid of a procedure that they need, they might not be willing to do it. That can lead to even more serious dental health problems down the line into adulthood. With proper guidance and education from their dentists, the young ones—and even the grown-ups—can come to realize that getting a root canal is not as painful or frightening as it is so commonly believed to be.
Facts vs. Myths
Of course, the most popular myth of them all would have to do with just how painful it is to undergo root canal treatment. There are stories that go as far as claiming that screams of horror can be heard from the ground floor of the building, while the dental office is on the third floor. There are those who speak of going through the most horrifying pain they have ever felt in their lives that they would not wish it upon their worst enemies.
If these sound exaggerated to you, that’s because they truly are just that, exaggerations. The truth is that root canal does not cause the pain—it treats it. Admittedly, though, it used to be painful because after all, you’re dealing with sensitive nerves here. Today’s medical technology, provides a variety of choices for anesthesia which can be used when undergoing a root canal treatment. The end result is that you can be relaxed and comfortable while the procedure goes on without all the mythical pain and drama!
Another claim is that you don’t really need root canal because extraction is still the most accessible and easiest choice to make. Extraction is particularly ill advised for teenagers and young adults. This is because the best way for teenagers and young adults to end up with a healthy set of teeth as a grown-up, is to keep their natural teeth as long as they possibly can. Root canal treatments make it possible to achieve that by saving their teeth thereby eliminating the need to remove any teeth.
Your dentist can give you more information—factual and correct—about this procedure. You’ll see that there really is no need to worry about it, after all.
Sources
Root Canals, American Association of Endodontists
Myths About Root Canals and Root Canal Pain, American Association of Endodontists
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