How to Avoid a Root Canal: 7 Proven Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Dental
Jul 28, 2025

Many patients ask us how to avoid a root canal? 

The truth is, root canals are only needed when a tooth’s pulp becomes infected or badly damaged. 

You can avoid these problems with the right care. 

The key to preventing root canals is maintaining good oral hygiene, living a healthy lifestyle, and visiting the dentist regularly. 

At The Junction Family Dental Care, we have 7 proven tips to help you protect your teeth and lower your chances of needing a root canal in the future.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that saves a tooth that is badly decayed, infected, or damaged. 

Instead of pulling the tooth out, a root canal removes the infected pulp, cleans the inside, and seals it with a safe material to stop further infection. 

Finally, the dentist restores the tooth with a filling or crown to make it strong and protect it.

7 Tips to Avoid a Root Canal

To avoid a root canal or a future root canal failure, follow some tips designed by the Junction team of dentists for most of their patients. 

However, think of this not as a strict set of rules but as a guide to healthier living and making self-care a habit.

1. Brush and floss daily

Good oral hygiene is your best way to prevent cavities and infections. 

  • Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day to remove plaque and bacteria that can cause decay. 
  • Use toothpaste with fluoride to help strengthen your enamel. 
  • Angle your toothbrush toward your gum line for better cleaning.
  • Don’t forget to floss, as it cleans places your toothbrush can’t reach.

Need brushing tips? Read our full guide: Brushing and Flossing with Braces.

2. Watch what you eat and drink

Sugary and acidic foods cause cavities, which can lead to a root canal.

To prevent this, limit your intake of soda and fruit juices, sticky candies, or excessive coffee or alcohol

Instead, eat foods that are high in calcium, vitamin D, and fiber. 

Good options include leafy greens, nuts, cheese, and crunchy vegetables, which can help clean your teeth naturally.

After dental surgery, what you eat is important too. Check out what to eat 24 hours after extraction.

3. Don’t Ignore Cavities or Cracks

A small cavity or chip may not seem urgent, but if you don’t treat it, bacteria can get deeper into your tooth. 

This can lead to an infection that needs a root canal. 

If you notice:  

  • Tooth sensitivity  
  • Dark spots on your enamel  
  • A chipped or cracked tooth  

Book an appointment at Junction right away.

4. Protect your teeth from injury

Accidents can cause root canals. 

A strong hit to your mouth may harm the pulp of your tooth, even if you don't see any cracks. 

  • To help protect your teeth, wear a custom mouthguard during sports. 
  • Avoid chewing hard foods like ice or popcorn kernels. 
  • Do not use your teeth to open packages.

5. Treat gum disease early

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, affects not just your gums but can also reach the roots of your teeth and cause serious infections. 

If you don’t treat it, you might lose teeth or need a root canal.

Look out for these signs:

  • Bleeding gums when you brush
  • Swelling or redness
  • Receding gum line

6. Visit your dentist regularly

Even if you brush and floss every day, only a dentist can find early signs of tooth decay, cracks, or infections. 

Regular check-ups and dental cleanings help fix small problems before they turn into painful emergencies.

At Junction Family Dental Care, we recommend:

Want to know about treatment costs? Check out how much does root canal costs in Canada.

7. Strengthen your teeth with preventive treatments

Dentists can help protect and prevent your teeth from decay in several ways:

1. They offer fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel.

2. They apply dental sealants to cover the chewing surfaces of your molars.

3. They make custom night guards to prevent damage caused by teeth grinding.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the early signs I might need a root canal?

Look for sensitivity to heat or cold, ongoing pain, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Visit your dentist as soon as you notice anything unusual.

2. Does using mouthwash really help?

An alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash can reduce harmful bacteria that brushing and flossing may miss. Use it as a supplement, not a replacement for brushing and flossing.

3. How often should I replace my toothbrush?

Change your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are worn or frayed.

4. Can some foods help protect my teeth?

Yes.

Foods high in fiber and minerals, such as leafy greens, cheese, and yogurt, can help protect enamel and fight acids.

5. Can grinding my teeth lead to a root canal?

Yes, grinding your teeth can cause small cracks and stress the inner part of the tooth, increasing the risk of infection. 

A custom nightguard can help protect your teeth.

In Summary

How to avoid a root canal? 

To keep your teeth healthy, focus on prevention: brush and floss every day, eat foods that are good for your teeth, protect your teeth from injury, treat gum disease early, and visit your dentist regularly.

If you do all of this and still need a root canal, remember that it's a safe and effective way to save your tooth.

At The Junction Family Dental Care in Toronto, our team makes sure every step, from prevention to treatment, is comfortable for you.

Call us today or book an appointment online.

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