Sedation Clinics
Did you know that an estimated 59% of Americans are more scared of getting a root canal than they are of public speaking? Despite how prevalent this fear is, the truth is that root canal therapy is a common, safe, and comfortable dental procedure. In fact, it’s often the best way to relieve severe pain caused by a tooth infection. Still, you’ll want to avoid the need for such a treatment in the first place by keeping your smile healthy. Read on to learn three tips that can help you prevent needing a root canal!
1. Brush & Floss Every Day
The tooth decay and infections that often necessitate root canals are frequently caused by the buildup of bacteria-filled plaque and tartar in the mouth. To prevent these harmful substances from accumulating, make sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two full minutes each session. You should also floss every night before bed to remove leftover food debris and plaque from between your teeth.
2. Make Healthy Food Choices
Food and beverages that are high in acid weaken the protective enamel of the teeth, leaving it vulnerable to the cavity-causing bacteria that are fueled by sugar. When you consume a lot of sugary or acidic products, you’re putting your teeth at greater risk for decay. Try to keep these items to a minimum and instead fill your diet with a variety of mouth-healthy foods, like leafy greens, lean proteins, and fresh fruits.
3. Use Your Preventive Dental Insurance Coverage
Root canal therapy is typically considered a major restorative procedure, so most dental insurance plans will cover about 50% of the cost (of course, the exact amount covered varies from plan to plan). This can certainly decrease your expenses compared to not having insurance at all. However, you can save even more money by using your dental insurance benefits on services that will prevent the need for root canals in the first place.
Most dental plans will fully cover two routine checkups per year. At these visits, your dentist looks for early warning signs of tooth decay or damage that could potentially be problematic. When these issues are detected early on, they can be treated with more conservative and cost-effective methods, like fillings, as opposed to waiting for the decay to worsen until the point where you need a root canal.
Any dental insurance benefits you haven’t used by the end of 2022 won’t carry over into 2023, so now is the perfect time to visit your dentist and make sure your smile is in great shape. By following the tips above, you can avoid the need for a root canal, which benefits your wallet and your smile!
About the Practice
At Dental Wellness of Lexington, our three dentists offer a wide range of services for families in Lexington, KY and the nearby communities. In addition to offering same-day emergency appointments for patients in pain, we also perform safe, comfortable root canal therapy. We even accept and file claims for most PPO dental insurance plans, and we’re in-network with Cigna PPO and Delta Dental Premier. To learn more about how to save money on your dental care and avoid a root canal, you can contact us by calling (859) 223-4644.