My Blog

Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- celebrity smiles (82)
- braces (15)
- orthodontics (15)
- oral piercings (1)
- oral health (22)
- wisdom teeth (7)
- bad breath (2)
- oral hygiene (28)
- common symptoms (1)
- New Port Richey (2)
- Veneers (10)
- cosmetic dentistry (16)
- teeth whitening (7)
- bleaching (1)
- discolored teeth (1)
- stained teeth (1)
- fluoride (3)
- Dental Implants (26)
- retainers (5)
- periodontal disease (1)
- gum disease (11)
- dental implant (5)
- thumb sucking (3)
- pediatric dentistry (20)
- bonding (2)
- jaw surgery (1)
- smile makeover (2)
- Dental Checkup (1)
- CEREC (2)
- oral cancer (3)
- Healthy Veneers (1)
- brushing teeth (1)
- orthodontic treatment (17)
- tooth extraction (1)
- dentures (1)
- Reviews (1)
- root canal (2)
- tads (1)
- flossing (2)
- teething (3)
- ClearCorrect (1)
- bridge (1)
- tmj disorders (4)
- tmd (1)
- tmj (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- Laser Dentistry (3)
- teeth wear (1)
- Cerec Crowns (3)
- crowns (5)
- partial denture (3)
- Clear Correct (3)
- pediatric care (1)
- implant overdentures (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- dental crowns (1)
- antibiotics (2)
- diabetes (2)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- root canal treatment (5)
- tooth decay (6)
- restorative dentistry (3)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental injury (8)
- mouthguards (3)
- mouthguard (1)
- clear braces (1)
- nutrition (2)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- gum recession (2)
- porcelain veneers (6)
- Gum Pain (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- fillings (1)
- teeth grinding (4)
- plaque (1)
- adult braces (1)
- apioectomy (1)
- medicine (1)
- chipped tooth (4)
- oral heath (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (1)
- toothache (1)
- sugar (1)
- Damaged Teeth (1)
- crown (1)
- Crowns & Bridges (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- bridgework (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- x-rays (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- cleft lip (1)
- cleft palate (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- CEREC One Visit Crowns (1)
- loose tooth (1)
- bonded retainer (2)
- sealants (1)
- clear aligners (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- dental injuries (1)
Categories:

As the host of America's Funniest Home Videos on ABC TV, Alfonso Ribeiro has witnessed plenty of unintentional physical comedy…or, as he puts it in an interview with Dear Doctor–Dentistry & Oral Health magazine, "When people do stuff and you're like, 'Dude, you just hurt yourself for no reason!'" So when he had his own dental dilemma, Alfonso was determined not to let it turn onto an "epic fail."
The television personality was in his thirties when a painful tooth infection flared up. Instead of ignoring the problem, he took care of it by visiting his dentist, who recommended a root canal procedure. "It's not like you wake up and go, 'Yay, I'm going to have my root canal today!'" he joked. "But once it's done, you couldn't be happier because the pain is gone and you're just smiling because you're no longer in pain!"
Alfonso's experience echoes that of many other people. The root canal procedure is designed to save an infected tooth that otherwise would probably be lost. The infection may start when harmful bacteria from the mouth create a small hole (called a cavity) in the tooth's surface. If left untreated, the decay bacteria continue to eat away at the tooth's structure. Eventually, they can reach the soft pulp tissue, which extends through branching spaces deep inside the tooth called root canals.
Once infection gets a foothold there, it's time for root canal treatment! In this procedure, the area is first numbed; next, a small hole is made in the tooth to give access to the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. The diseased tissue is then carefully removed with tiny instruments, and the canals are disinfected to prevent bacteria from spreading. Finally, the tooth is sealed up to prevent re-infection. Following treatment, a crown (cap) is usually required to restore the tooth's full function and appearance.
Root canal treatment sometimes gets a bad rap from people who are unfamiliar with it, or have come across misinformation on the internet. The truth is, a root canal doesn't cause pain: It relieves pain! The alternatives—having the tooth pulled or leaving the infection untreated—are often much worse.
Having a tooth extracted and replaced can be costly and time consuming…yet a missing tooth that isn't replaced can cause problems for your oral health, nutrition and self-esteem. And an untreated infection doesn't just go away on its own—it continues to smolder in your body, potentially causing serious problems. So if you need a root canal, don't delay!
If you would like additional information on root canal treatment, please contact us or schedule a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “A Step-By-Step Guide to Root Canal Treatment” and “Root Canal Treatment: What You Need to Know.”