When you go to a dentist's office, it can be truly stunning to discover that they're recommending a root canal for one or more of your teeth. Root canals are feared by many people, despite the fact that they can be very beneficial. Here are some reasons why you should consider saying yes to a root canal.

The Alternative

There's only one alternative when it comes to getting a root canal: having the tooth extracted. Unfortunately, once decay has progressed to the point where a root canal becomes necessary, there's no other way to save the tooth. Simply drilling it would likely destroy too much of the tooth's structure and would allow it to crumble the first time pressure was placed upon it while chewing. In addition, without removing the nerve endings that reside inside the tooth, you could experience permanent pain without removing the tooth. The only other solution here is to extract it.

The Long-Term Problems

Extraction might not sound too bad to you, but it opens up a host of problems later on. Most people don't know this, but the bones of your jaw rely upon the teeth in your mouth to stay strong. In the same way that bones grow stronger from weight training, regular pressure pushing down on your jawbone helps to keep it strong, too. This is only possible because your teeth act like a bridge to transfer that pressure from your bite to your bones. When one or more teeth go missing, it can cause weak spots to develop in your jawbone that are more prone to breakage and can change your appearance.

Money

There is another solution to this issue, but it means spending more money in the long run. You would need to sign up for dental implants, which come with a long recovery time and cost a decent amount of money. In comparison, if you opt for a root canal, you'll be able to save your own tooth and won't need any kind of future work or replacement done. Your jaw will maintain its strength and you won't have to dish out extra cash.

Root canals aren't the great evil they're made out to be. They can preserve and save a tooth that would otherwise have to be pulled. If you're now convinced, say yes to the root canal before your problem progresses to the point where only an extraction is possible.