Root canals are often recommended when a patient is suffering from an infected or damaged tooth. Although highly successful and designed to save natural teeth from extraction, this type of procedure can be avoided. To ensure that you do what is necessary to maintain better oral health, here are four things you can do to reduce your chances of needing a root canal, one of which is using your dental insurance.
Practice Good At-Home Oral Hygiene
Daily at-home brushing and flossing are essential if you want to minimize the risk of developing tooth decay. Cavities that form and remain untreated can lead to a more serious infection that can spread to the pulp of a tooth, resulting in intense pain.
By adopting good at-home oral hygiene habits, you can safeguard your teeth, ensuring they remain cavity-free throughout the year. You’ll want to make sure to brush for two full minutes and use fluoridated toothpaste. Also, use regular dental floss or a water irrigator to remove bacteria from between teeth for a thorough clean.
Use Your Dental Insurance for Preventive Care
Seeing your dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings is just as important as having good oral habits at home. Although you might think you cannot afford these visits, you can use your dental insurance to save.
Most insurance plans offer 100% coverage for preventive care; however, refusing to take advantage of these services can result in losing your benefits at the end of each year. This is why your dentist will strongly encourage you to come in for a visit so that you can get the most out of your plan.
Also, by using your dental benefits to protect your teeth and gums, your dentist will be able to identify any issues early on so that a root canal is unlikely to be in your future.
Wear a Custom Mouthguard While Playing Sports
Tooth damage is a common occurrence for avid athletes. If a tooth suffers a break or serious crack, a root canal might be the only way to save it from extraction.
Wearing appropriate mouth protection while engaging in any kind of contact sport can reduce your chances of visiting the emergency dentist’s office as well as undergoing an invasive dental procedure, like a root canal.
Adopt a Nutrient-Rich Diet
If you have a sweet tooth or enjoy loading up your plate with carbohydrates, you may want to rethink your diet. Eating too much sugar and starch can cause you to become susceptible to tooth decay. Failing to change your eating habits can cause worsening oral health problems that require restorative services, root canal treatment, or even tooth extraction.
Instead of your diet consisting of chips, candy, potatoes, and acidic beverages, try incorporating lean meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens – foods consisting of valuable vitamins and minerals.
Avoiding a root canal doesn’t have to be hard. By making a few lifestyle changes and using your dental insurance to your advantage, you can better protect your smile while saving big on your regular oral healthcare.
About the Practice
Westgate Dental Care cares about the needs of each patient. Offering services that are designed to reduce the need for restorative care, our dentists encourage individuals to use their dental insurance to seek preventive treatment and get the most out of their plan. You can visit our website or call us at (847) 908-3684 to discuss your insurance policy and what you can do to save each time you come in for an appointment.