Why Do People Fear Root Canals?

Have you ever heard of the saying “I’d rather have my root canal done”? If you have, it is probably no wonder why most people are afraid of the procedure.

Worse, root canals have become synonymous with painful or unpleasant experiences. This joke is not so amusing anymore when you are faced with a severe dental problem that will require a root canal.

So why does so much fear of root canals grip people? Has it been scientifically proven that root canals equal a world of pain? Is it genuinely preferable to suffer being put through the wringer than get a root canal done?

Modern dental practices utilize new techniques and technological advancements that enable experienced professionals, such as the ones at Napa Family Dental in Albuquerque, NM, to ensure a safe and painless procedure.

Let us learn about why root canals inspire so much fear and anxiety and dispel some of the myths and rumors that are causing even more avoidance of dentists and dental procedures.

Root Canals Hurt

Most people are already wary of visiting a dentist because they are under the impression that they will be in for a world of pain.

To make things worse, root canals are near the top of the list of painful procedures. Or so people expect.

The truth is, there are various options you can choose from to help with pain management during dental procedures.

You can talk to your dentist about anesthetic dentistry to help ease the pain of your root canal. Every dental professional should be well equipped to handle your concerns and dispel your fears.

Even After the Procedure

Worse than having to suffer through pain during the root canal procedure, people are afraid that they have to deal with more pain afterward.

Post-surgery pain is a legitimate fear because, as with any medical procedure, there may be complications or reduced functionality immediately after.

However, for root canals, you will most likely only face some slight pain. You can easily handle this with over-the-counter analgesics such as ibuprofen.

Your dentist will take care of you even after the procedure by giving you antibiotics if the infection is a concern.

There is no need to worry as your dentist should be there with you the entire way.

Rumors About Root Canals

Lots of people panic when faced with the possibility of having to get a root canal. This is because they have been exposed to rumors that root canals are horrible experiences.

The thing is, most of the people who spread these rumors have probably never had to go through the procedure. As such, you should take such storytelling with a grain of salt and do your own research into the matter.

Little Understanding of the Process

Most people also have only a vague understanding of what a root canal entails. Those who may have to go through the procedure are probably well-acquainted with the pain that comes with a tooth abscess.

They might assume that they will have to go through an even more painful process to fix the problem.

The truth is root canals are simple procedures. The process can even be comparable to getting a filling.

A root canal is simply a cavity treatment that has been left for too long and thus needs more work to treat. The process is long but serves to do the same thing as fillings to save your tooth.

It Will Take a Long Time

Sitting in a dentist’s chair for long hours is hardly on anyone’s bucket list. No one wants to waste their time getting a dental procedure done, even if they had no choice.

Multiple visits and appointments would only make things worse. Well, root canals can be done in a single sitting. Unless the damage is very severe, you can have everything over and done within just one visit.

More Afraid of the Dentist

Understandably, some people have an inherent fear of going to the dentist. This anxiety is
normal and widespread nowadays.

But being afraid will not make the situation any better. The function of a tooth canal is to save your tooth. You should not suffer in the long term when you can have your tooth fixed quickly and easily.

##Fear of the Cost

Dental procedures can come at a steep price. Being a specialized treatment, root canals can be costly.

However, most dental insurance plans can cover at least part of the cost. Think of it as an investment for your long-term dental and general health, and you may find yourself being more ready for the procedure.

Do Not Let Fear Make You Wait

Keep in mind that putting off dental care when you need it out of fear will cost you more pain and headaches in the future.

All in all, root canals have been unfairly demonized as a terrible experience all around. Knowing what to expect will go a long way in making you feel more comfortable and less anxious to follow through on your dental appointment.