We all know that going to the dentist is good for us and will improve our oral health. Yet, many people can still feel anxiety about their upcoming dentist appointments, especially when it comes to such notorious procedures as root canal therapy. This can make the procedure a nightmare for the patient and more challenging for the doctor. A low-stress root canal is a dream for many people. In this article, we will talk about the top ways to relieve root canal anxiety.
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal is a procedure usually performed by your full-service dentist or an endodontist. Its aim is to remove the decayed pulp from the root canals of an ill tooth, clean the canals, and seal them with special dental material. Root canal treatment is usually needed when the bacteria and infection damage the pulp inside the tooth, which causes pain to the patient and can spread to the surrounding teeth.
Advantages of Root Canal Treatment
Even though root canal therapy may sound scary to some people, remember that your dentist has your best interests in mind when suggesting this procedure. The advantages of root canal therapy include:
- It effectively stops the infection within the tooth, preventing its further damage and saving the tooth from extraction.
- It saves the surrounding teeth by preventing the spread of infection
- It saves your jawbone from infection and deterioration
- It prevents the progression of gum disease
- It significantly improves the general oral hygiene by stopping the infection in the mouth
- It helps to get rid of bad breath caused by infection in the mouth
- It improves overall health, as infections in the mouth can result in issues with many internal organs, including the heart, gastrointestinal system, lungs, and even the brain.
Top Ways to Relieve Root Canal Anxiety
So, as you can see, root canal treatment is a way to avoid many oral and general health complications. Now, let us see how to relieve root canal anxiety.
Keep All the Benefits in Mind
Remember all the benefits of the procedure when you start feeling anxious. Your dentist wants nothing more than to effectively relieve you of pain, infection, and potential complications so you can come back to your normal life as soon as possible.
Stay Informed About Modern Dentistry Methods and Technology
Dentists are often portrayed in films and animation as scary and malevolent, operating enormous drilling machines and torturing their patients. However, modern dentistry tools are sophisticated and precise, designed with a patient’s comfort, expediency, and efficiency of the procedure in mind.
On top of that, such procedures as root canal therapy are always done using local anesthetic. Modern dental anesthetics guarantee that you will not feel anything during the procedure. In fact, they are so good that a tooth can even be pulled out completely without the patient feeling a thing. Your dentist can also adjust the dose of the anesthetic to match your pain levels.
You can sign up for a consultation with your dentist before the root canal treatment appointment and ask questions about the procedure, methods, tools, and anesthetics. Being informed on how the procedure works will most likely relieve the anxiety of the unknown.
Remember That the Procedure Is Safe
Root canal therapy is a procedure that is very well researched and has been used in dentistry for decades. It is a routine, predictable, and safe method of treatment. On top of that, a root canal is done only after a careful examination and X-rays.
Remember That It Will Not Last Forever
Root canal therapy lasts for 30 to 90 minutes at most, and the recovery time is less than a week. Remember that this short period of time in a dental office will relieve you of weeks or maybe even months of unbearable toothache.
Try Relaxation Techniques and Treat Yourself
Try looking up some effective relaxation techniques like breathing practices or meditation. Research suggests that they can significantly reduce anxiety. You can also plan to treat yourself as a reward for going through the procedure. This can help you stay positive and think more about the pleasant things that will happen after the procedure instead of dreading it.
Ask Your Dentist About Sedation Dentistry
It is true that it is extremely hard to get rid of dental anxiety for some people. Modern dentistry offers safe and effective methods of sedation that can help in such cases. Consult your doctor to learn more and to determine if sedation dentistry is the right option for you.
Make an Appointment Today
If you have questions about root canal therapy, do not hesitate to make an appointment with one of our highly qualified and friendly dentists. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our office and to making the procedure smooth and effective for you.
