A root canal procedure is something many people have to go through, and it has become a very standard procedure in dentistry. Dentists use root canal procedures when bacteria gets into the roots, or canals, of teeth, and most dentists will prescribe antibiotics to a person prior to completing the procedure. Here are a few things you should understand about antibiotics and root canals.

A root canal should not be performed when there is an active infection

Getting a root canal is a major procedure that involves the dentist accessing the canals of your teeth, which are located inside your gums below or above your teeth. When a dentist enters this area, it is vital that there is no infection present, as the infection could spread to other parts of your body if the dentist performs a root canal when there is an infection. Additionally, when an infection is present during a root canal, it can decrease the effects of anesthesia, which means you might be able to feel too much pain during the procedure.

Infections are common when root canals are needed

A root canal is typically needed due to bacteria getting into the roots of a tooth, and this happens when there is some type of breach with a tooth. For example, if a tooth is cracked, bacteria can seep into the tooth and into the canals. In order for the canals to become infected, there must be some type of exposure from the tooth to these roots, otherwise you would not need a root canal. Because of the way this occurs, it is extremely common for people to have infections when a root canal is needed, and dentists will almost always prescribe antibiotics before a root canal to make sure the infection is not present during the time of the procedure.

What you should expect before and during treatment

After taking the antibiotics, you will still need to go through the root canal procedure, even though you would no longer have the infection in your mouth. When you prepare for this, you should understand that a root canal procedure takes time and often requires at least two visits to complete it.

If you find out that you need a root canal, you may need to take an antibiotic first, and you should take it if your dentist prescribes it. To learn more about root canals, talk to your local dentist or visit a site like https://www.vanyodentistry.com/.