For many people, a root canal is a disconcerting dental procedure. Even people who have no idea what a root canal is or what it involves worry about the thought of undergoing one. While a root canal is not ever going to be fun, the idea that they are extremely traumatic has been exaggerated. Your Greenfield dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, discuss the purpose and procedure behind root canals and why they are often the best treatment option.
The Purpose of a Root Canal
Root canals treat infections within the interior of a tooth. Inside a tooth’s canal is soft nerve tissue called the dental pulp, and it contains a number of tiny tubes that provide nutrition and remove waste. Should harmful bacteria invade the pulp, the tooth will become infected, leading to a buildup of pressure. As the pressure grows, the tooth begins to ache. Eventually, without any treatment, the tooth will die and extraction will be required. A root canal will clean out the infection and relieve the pain.
Teeth whitening has become an increasingly popular option for many people over the past few years. The number of over-the-counter products that promise to produce a brilliant white smile has exploded. In addition, many dentists now offer teeth whitening services in their offices. For those who are considering such a procedure, it is natural to wonder about the safety of the products and techniques. Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, your 
The first week of December is National Handwashing Awareness Week. Why is that a concern of your dentist? Because, most dental professionals are concerned with more than just the health of your teeth and gums. They want your entire body to be healthy. As we enter cold and flu season, they are especially concerned with respiratory illnesses that can be gotten through the mouth. Your 
The last three months of the year are prime pumpkin season. From Halloween jack-o-lanterns to pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is easy to enjoy all the tasty goodness the large orange staple provides. The even better news is that pumpkins are extraordinarily healthy, as well. Your 
It seems like these days it begins to look a lot like Christmas long before Halloween is even over. Department stores have ensured that they get the most buck for the Christmas bang by pumping out holiday tunes and arranging festive displays of themed merchandise as early as possible – long before the calendar is even turned to December. It’s bound to get all of our wheels turning as to what we want to buy for whom this year. For a little holiday guidance, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, your 
There was a time in history when tin grins were the mainstream way to straighten teeth. For adolescents and teens that were not born with perfect alignment, bracket-and-wire braces were the only way to fly. After all of those often uncomfortable months of getting wires tightened and twisted, fastening rubber bands from the top to the bottom, and not being able to eat popcorn or chew gum, the expectation was that you should continue wearing a retainer for a set period of time. This was a long and arduous process to attain straight teeth, but it was the only choice. Your 
Dental anxiety is nothing that a patient should be ashamed of. In fact, there are very few people that march into a 
In a time in American history when most people are on a pretty strict budget, the average household will still spend around $44 on Halloween candy. Is your house already overflowing with lollipops, bubblegum, gummies of all shapes and sizes, and, of course, chocolate? As delicious as candy can be, excessive sugar consumption can be a contributor to cavities. The bacteria that cause tooth decay enjoy sugar as much as a trick-or-treating first grader. The problem is bacteria can metabolize sugar into lactic acid, wearing down your tooth enamel. Still, we don’t want to spoil the fun, so your