It’s not uncommon to see commercials for dental products that focus on teeth pain and sensitivity, especially in relation to hot or cold foods and liquids. But why do we need these products in the first place? That’s a question endodontics professionals tackle every day.The BasicsEndodontics is a subject area of dentistry that focuses specifically on the dental pulp, as well as the surrounding structures. One of the most common procedures you’ve probably heard of regarding endodontics is a root canal. While the term “root canal” often scares people, as a Hudson Valley endodontist we specialized in root canal treatments, which allows us to provide superior care using the best and most modern methods and technologies to keep you safe and comfortable.What is an Endodontist?Endodontists are dental professionals that attend an extra two years of post-graduate training. During this time they learn about the dental pulp and surrounding structures in greater detail, as well as learn the best methods for treating diseases and conditions specific to these structures.

Let’s Break it Down

As we already mentioned, endodontics deals with the dental pulp of your teeth. Inside each tooth is a mass of pulp that holds nerves and blood vessels. Typically your teeth shield and protect the pulp, but issues like decay and trauma allow bacteria to seep into the affected teeth and cause infection, pain and sensitivity as the nerves are exposed. In more serious cases abscesses can also form.

What We Can Do

The pulp in your teeth plays an important role in the development of your teeth. It’s the pulp that helps develop the layers of protective dentin and enamel that keep your teeth strong and free of infection. However, once your teeth stop growing, you can actually live just fine without the pulp. This is where a root canal comes in. A root canal removes the pulp, which eliminates the nerves in the affected tooth. Without these nerves, the pain is gone. Once we finish the procedure, the infection will subside and the tooth can return to normal.

It’s important that you not only continue to brush and take care of your teeth, but also that you’re visiting your dentist for regular checkups. It’s these habits that will both prevent the need for a root canal, but will also catch problems that need Suffern endodontist care at Hudson Valley Endodontics early before too much damage is done to your teeth.