Root canals certainly aren’t anyone’s idea of a good time. According to the American Association of Endodontists, 59% of people are afraid of getting a root canal. This fear is more common than the fear of public speaking, spiders, and being trapped in an elevator. Fortunately, there are a variety of different steps you can take to reduce your chances of needing a root canal in Covina, including using your preventive coverage to keep your teeth in good shape. Continue reading to learn which steps you can take in order to keep your smile healthy.
Brush Twice a Day
Each day, you should be brushing your teeth two times for at least two minutes. This way, you can remove harmful plaque and bacteria that can cause issues like tooth decay. Ultimately, you can save yourself from needing to have root canal therapy.
Floss Daily
Your toothbrush can’t clean every surface in your mouth. That’s why it’s so important to floss every single day. By removing plaque and food particles from hard to reach places like between the teeth and beneath the gumline, you can avoid the need for fillings or a root canal in the future.
Watch What You Eat
Foods and beverages that are high in acid soften the protective enamel. This leaves it vulnerable to bacteria which are fueled by sugar in the mouth. Consuming foods that contain acid and sugar can cause you to experience enamel erosion and decay in the future. Remember to limit the amount of soda, energy drink, and fruit juices you consume because they are high in both of these ingredients.
Be Careful with Hard Foods
If you’re eating a food that is especially hard, you need to be careful. You could end up causing your teeth to chip or crack. When this occurs, there is an easy route for bacteria to travel to the center of your tooth, causing an infection. At this point, you will need a root canal to save your tooth.
Wear a Mouthguard
Staying active is good for you, but some sports can cause you to experience dental injuries. Many of them can easily be prevented by wearing a mouthguard. Consider investing in a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist so you can keep your teeth from becoming cracked or broken and needing a root canal.
Use Your Preventive Coverage
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive services like checkups, professional cleanings, and routine x-rays. These services are especially important because they help to prevent oral health issues from occurring in the future. If you haven’t used your insurance benefits this year already, now would be a great time to do so. At the end of the year, most insurance plans renew, and your benefits for this year will not carry over. You need to use it or else you will lose it!
You don’t want to be spending extra time in the dental chair getting a root canal. Take the steps listed above to keep your smile healthy so you won’t have to. Don’t forget to schedule a checkup with your dentist in Covina now before you miss out on your 2020 benefits.
About the Author
Dr. Danny Tran earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and graduated with high honors. He is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the San Gabriel Valley Dental Society. For more information on keeping your smile healthy or to schedule an appointment at his office in Covina, visit his website or call (626) 331-0688.