What is a Root Canal?
A root canal procedure is a procedure by which the nerve, (pulp tissue) , is removed from the inside of the tooth. There are many causes of why the nerve in the tooth may become painful. Decay and trauma are the two most common causes. This irritation of the nerve is called pulpitis. The tooth is held into the jawbone by 1-3 roots, depending on the tooth. Inside each root, is an area called the pulp chamber. The nerve branches off from the centre of the tooth into each root. Whenever the nerve becomes sore and irritated, the nerve begins to die. This dead nerve tissue and miscellaneous debris needs to be removed from the inside of the tooth to allow the bone around the root to heal.

Modern root canal procedure is a relatively painless procedure and patients are relieved when the tooth no longer hurts them anymore. There have been huge advances in technology in this field in recent years so that root canal treatment has become easier and more successful than ever before. If an abscessed tooth is left untreated, other dental problems can occur such as bone loss, swelling, and severe toothaches, and in rare cases severe infections requiring hospitalization.

How often should X-Rays be taken?
If you are a new patient, if you have had a full set of x-rays taken within the past year, ask to have your x-rays transferred to your new dentist. If you have not had x-rays taken within a year, a full set of x-rays may be taken on your first visit. Depending on your general and oral health, you may only need x-rays once every year. Other people will require more frequent x-rays due to continued treatment, diet, oral hygiene, and/or health related issues. People with very high decay rates may need more frequent x-rays. The amount of radiation from dental x-rays is minimal especially with the latest high-speed film. Consult with your dentist or hygienist and together come up with an x-ray schedule that is right for you.

What Toothpaste should I use?
There are many varieties of toothpastes on the market. There is everything from gels, whitening toothpaste, tartar control toothpaste, to natural toothpaste, toothpaste made for children, and sensitive teeth. The brand of toothpaste you choose is not as important as what is in the toothpaste itself. Even if you have fluoride in your drinking water, it is still wise to choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Another thing to consider is, the more chemicals that are added to the toothpaste the higher at risk you are for your teeth and gums to become irritated and sensitive. Before using any of the whitening toothpaste, tartar control toothpaste, sensitive tooth toothpaste, and the likes, consult with your dentist or hygienist to see if any of these toothpastes are recommended for you. You should avoid abrasive toothpastes such as those recommended for smokers. These can damage teeth especially if you have any softer root exposed.

How Can I relieve a toothache?
Many people experience a toothache late in the evening, the middle of the night, or when they are not able to rush off to the dentist. Some people wait the toothache out to see if the tooth feels any better tomorrow because they just really hate going to the dentist. If you ever find yourself in a situation where your tooth is hurting and you are not able to see a dentist right away, you may be able to relieve the toothache by placing clove oil on the tooth. This works best if the pain is coming from a deep cavity. Clove is a natural sedative for the nerve in your tooth and it will help to calm the nerve down and ease the toothache.

Take a Q-tip and dip it into the clove oil. Then place the Q-tip on the tooth and swirl it around the tooth. You should begin to feel some relief. Repeat as necessary.

You will also want to take some over the counter pain reliever, at the recommended dosage even if you do not have a toothache. The medicine will work throughout the day and evening to keep the toothache at bay. It is much easier than having the medicine wear off and then trying to treat the toothache when it's at its peak.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to evaluate what is causing the toothache. Do not wait. It is much easier to treat a dental problem when it is diagnosed earlier than later.

How Does Plaque Attack the Gums?
Plaque can also produce harmful byproducts that irritate the gums, causing gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal diseases. If plaque isn’t removed daily, it will build up into a hard deposit called calculus. If plaque continues to form on top of the calculus, it can irritate the gums, and a pocket may develop between the teeth and gums. If the disease continues untreated then periodontitis will develop which can eventually destroy the gums and bone that support the teeth. This is the main cause of tooth loss. Good oral hygiene and regular hygiene appointments are your best defence against gum disease.

What Is a dental hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a licensed health care professional, oral health educator, and clinician who, as a cotherapist with the dentist, provides preventive, educational, and therapeutic services supporting total health for the control of oral diseases and the promotion of oral health. A registered dental hygienist has graduated from a minimum two-year college program that includes classroom studies and extensive supervised clinical experience. A dental hygienist also must pass a national written exam and a comprehensive clinical exam to earn the RDH license.