Last fall, I was plagued by a mysterious string of toothaches. Several dental appointments and two complicated emergency root canals later, my endodontist helped me identify the culprit — berry-flavored cough syrup.
For two years, I would take a shot of the liquid every night before bed to help me sleep through some lingering Covid symptoms. Because I did this after I had brushed my teeth, the syrup slowly damaged my tooth enamel, resulting in an infection that required two root canals.
The treatment involves drilling into the innermost layer of the tooth to remove tissue that has become inflamed or infected — often as a result of cracked teeth, deep cavities or issues from previous dental work. Around 15 million root canals are performed in the United States each year.
What else, I wondered, might increase my risk of needing more root canals in the future? I asked dentists and endodontists across the country to explain some of their most frequent causes — and how to avoid them.
Dry Mouth
Saliva is crucial for protecting your teeth, said Dr. Katherine Taylor, a dentist in Clifton, N.J. It washes away food and kills bacteria. And when you produce less saliva, decay-causing bacteria can flourish, potentially resulting in an infection that requires a root canal, she said.
Some prescription drugs, including many antidepressants, opioids, beta blockers and antibiotics, can cause dry mouth, as can some over-the-counter medications like antihistamines and decongestants.
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