Teeth
Teeth are rather complicated parts of the body, even if they may look rather simple from the outside. The outermost layer of the tooth is made of enamel, and it acts like a shield to protect the rest of the tooth from harm. Beneath that is the second layer of the tooth called the dentin. And beneath the dentin is what's called tooth pulp. When the tooth first emerges it's nourished by the pulp, but once the tooth has matured and the root canals (paths where blood is allowed to provide minerals and nutrients to the tooth) develop, the pulp is rather unnecessary. However, if the tooth pulp dies, an infection can result.
Tooth Infection
A tooth can become infected from either inside the tooth, or outside the tooth. Infection inside the tooth can result from the tooth pulp dying and blocking the root canal. Or an infection can occur from outside the tooth, with the enamel and the dentin cracking open and foreign object getting into the tooth pulp. In either case tooth infection causes pain, swelling, temperature sensitivity, and other uncomfortable symptoms. If the infection is allowed to spread then it can reach the gums, jawbone, and even other teeth to do more damage.
Root Canal
Since the tooth pulp isn't necessary for an adult tooth to remain healthy, a procedure known as a root canal removes the tooth pulp but leaves the tooth intact. Once this procedure is performed, which will remove the blockage of the actual root canal as well as the impurities that are causing the infection the tooth will be filled with another substance, and then sealed closed. However, care should be taken before getting a root canal. If there is in fact nothing wrong with the tooth and the problem is in the gums, then opening up the tooth may create an opportunity for a tooth infection to manifest itself. Or if a tooth isn't properly sealed, than infection may get inside the filled tooth and ruin it despite all of the efforts to the contrary. Before getting this procedure done, make absolutely certain that it's necessary, otherwise you may in fact be making the problem worse instead of better.
Tags: tooth pulp, root canal, from outside, inside tooth, layer tooth, outside tooth