Root canal treatment (otherwise known as Endodontics) is a procedure which aims to treat infection which is found in the centre of a tooth. The infection is caused by bacteria in the mouth which attacks the tooth due to tooth decay, a filling leakage or damage caused to teeth due to trauma such as a fall or sports injury.
Each tooth contains pulp that supplies nutrients and nerves to the tooth. The root canal contains the dental pulp and extends from the crown (the part of the tooth you can see) to the end of the root. A tooth can have more than one root canal.
If bacteria attacks the dental pulp found within the root canal, it can begin to die allowing bacteria to multiply faster. This bacteria will then pass out of the end of the root canal into the gums making them red and swollen. This will cause your tooth to become painful and your face could swell due to dental abscess.
To treat the infection, depending on the severity, the dentist can either extract the tooth or attempt to save it by removing the bacteria; once the bacteria is removed ,the root canal is filled and sealed. In most cases the inflamed tissue surrounding the tooth will then heal naturally.
Root canal treatment should not be painful, as usually this treatment is given under local anaesthetic so will be no more uncomfortable than if you were to have a standard filling.
When recovering from root canal treatment, it’s very important to look after your teeth and to avoid biting on hard food until all of your treatment is complete. To avoid future root canal treatment you can by maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding sugary food and drinks and by quitting smoking.