2 Questions You May Have About Your Upcoming Root Canal To Treat A Tooth Infection

After suffering from a severe toothache, you may have made an appointment to see a dentist who told you that you have an infection inside one of your teeth. After giving you a prescription for an antibiotic, they may have strongly suggested that you set up an appointment for a root canal to fully get rid of the infection.

If you have never had a root canal before, you may have many questions swimming around inside your head about the procedure. Below are answers to a couple of the questions you may have about your upcoming root canal to treat an infection in one of your teeth.

1. How Come You Need a Root Canal After the Dentist Gave You a Prescription for Antibiotics?

Since the dentist gave you an antibiotic for the infection, one of the first questions you may have about the root canal has to do with why you need it at all. You may be wondering why you were given the antibiotic as well as whether the procedure is necessary.

While taking the antibiotic, it will help to slow the spread of the infection so that the bacteria does not enter into your bloodstream and cause widespread, systemic health issues in other areas of your body. However, since a tooth infection is deep within the pulp of the tooth, the infection and the pulp will need to be manually removed to keep it from coming back after you finish the antibiotic.

2. Will You Experience Intense Pain During and After the Root Canal Treatment Procedure?

Another question you may have is whether you will feel intense pain during and after the root canal. You may have heard misinformation from others who state that the procedure is not only painful but that you will suffer afterward.

However, the dentist will numb the tooth and give you sedation during the root canal procedure to keep you comfortable. After the infection is gone, you will most likely feel relief from the pain with only a little soreness as the site heals.

While antibiotics are given before a root canal can help to slow down the spread of infection to keep it from filtering into your bloodstream and causing systemic health issues, a root canal will get rid of the damaged, infected pulp and help save the tooth. During the procedure, the dentist will make sure that you are comfortable, and afterward, you should feel relief from the pain instead of an increase because the cause of your initial discomfort will be gone. For more answers to questions you may have, make an appointment to speak with a dentist who offers root canal treatment.