Root Canal Myths Debunked

January 11, 2018

Filed under: Endodontics,Root Canal — lrfamily @ 8:59 am

Root canals have garnered a nasty reputation over the years. Whether in movies, on the Internet, or through word-of-mouth, you’ve probably heard things that make you apprehensive about the root canal procedure.

However, the hearsay is often wrong or simply just outdated information.

If you’ve heard that root canals are painful, cause illness, or other scary rumors, don’t believe the hype! Root canals are one of the safest and most pain-free ways to save a natural tooth. So, if you’re scared to get in the dental chair for your root canal procedure, the friendly dentists at Little Rock Family Dental Care are here to put your mind at ease by debunking the myths that surround root canals.

Here are the REAL facts about root canals… (more…)

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What to Do if You Have a Chipped or Cracked Tooth

June 10, 2017

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Dental Emergency,Root Canal — lrfamily @ 1:32 pm

The first thing to do if your tooth has a visible chip or if you suspect a crack is to make an appointment to see your dental care professional as soon as possible. As with any oral problem, if you leave it untreated, it can get worse and result in severe complications down the line.

Immediate Care After a Chipped or Cracked Tooth Occurs

For both chips and cracks, you always first want to protect the tooth from further damage before you are able to get into an appointment with a dentist.

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and cover the tooth with either a fresh piece of gauze or dental cement (found at most drugstores). Avoid eating or drinking as much as you can. However, if this is not possible, then try to avoid food and beverages that have extreme temperatures, are high in sugar or acid, or are hard. Also, chew on the opposite side of the mouth that isn’t affected. (more…)

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Why Do My Teeth Hurt?

March 6, 2017

Filed under: Crowns and Bridges,Oral Hygiene,Prevention,Root Canal — lrfamily @ 9:38 am

For some people, the pain that causes them to ask themselves, “Why do my teeth hurt?” might not only be in the teeth, but in the gum line, the jaw, or the exterior of the tooth. Perhaps the word “hurt” is too general as well, because there are different types of pain, such as tender gums, sensitivity to hot and cold, toothaches, and more.

Pain is a defensive response of the body that is meant to alert you that something is wrong and needs attention. It can range from moderate to severe and can be aggravated by an external stimulus like chewing or drinking hot/cold liquid. If you are experiencing symptoms that are generalized as “teeth hurting,” it’s important to pinpoint where the pain is coming from, what type of pain you are feeling and under what circumstances it is happening. When you do this, you can discern the issue and find out if you need emergency dental work or not.

Below you will find common symptoms of pain and what might be wrong. Contact our knowledgeable dentists if you have any questions!

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Endodontics: What is It?

December 31, 2016

Filed under: Endodontics,Root Canal — lrfamily @ 8:30 am

There are quite a few misconceptions as to what endodontic therapy is (also known as root canal), so we thought it would be a useful subject to shed some light on.

This is such an intricate and complex area of dentistry that endodontists (a dentist specializing in root canals) are required to take two years of additional schooling to be a specialist in this area of dentistry.

What is Endodontics?

To start, the term “endodontic” can be broken down to two simple components: the prefix “endo” and the suffix, “dontic.” In medical terminology, “endo-” means “within, inner, absorbing, or containing,” and “-dontic” refers to teeth. From this, it’s clear that “endodontics” means the treatment of the interior of a tooth. (more…)

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