Root Canal Awareness Week Aims at Saving Teeth

Austin, TX, March 17, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Root Canal Awareness Week is March 25-31, and almost 2/3 of Americans want to steer clear of anything related to a root canal, according to a recent survey by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). In that same survey, however, nearly ¾ of Americans are not prepared to lose a tooth. So what’s a dentist to do?

“Prevention and education are the keys,” said Dr. Chad Denman of Family Tree Dental Group. “The need for a root canal can be avoided if cavities are caught early enough and treated during the recommended six month checkups. Not only can the fear of root canals be avoided, but so can the price tag that goes along with them.” In addition to regular dental visits, Family Tree Dental Group recommends the following preventative measures:

· Practice good dental hygiene. The obvious is sometimes the best – brush and floss at least twice a day (especially before bed) to help fight plaque and decay before they lead to cavities … or worse.
· Use fluoride. A reasonable amount of fluoride (found in many toothpastes and mouthwashes) can assist in the strengthening of tooth enamel – the first line of defense against cavities.
· Maintain a healthy diet. Unprocessed foods like fruits (apples) and raw vegetables (carrots) aren’t only a great source of vitamins and minerals to aid in healthy chompers; they also help keep teeth clean. Crunching does a lot oral healthcare work for an individual.
· Choose water. Sports drinks, energy drinks, juices and sodas all have high amounts of sugars and/or acids that can lead to cavities. Water keeps the mouth hydrated and helps wash away any cavity-causing food derivatives that might be lingering after meals and snacks.

There will be times when a root canal is unavoidable – but the news is good. An AAE survey revealed that almost 90% of respondents were satisfied with their root canal treatment. Highly-skilled general dentists like Dr. Denman and endodontists (root canal specialists) can make the procedure painless and even pleasant – reason enough for all to smile.

Family Tree Dental Group was founded in 2011 by Austin/Round Rock dentists and brothers Drs. Chad and Shelby Denman to provide high quality dental care in a state-of-the-art environment with careful attention to detail and deep personal respect. Family Tree Dental Group helps maintain the oral health of patients of all ages and cares for all dental needs under one roof. For more information, call (512) 458-5999 or visit www.FamilyTreeDentalGroup.com.