We don’t need to know what a root canal is to know that we never want to get one under any circumstances. Everyone has heard talk about how terrible the procedure is, but even its name sounds simply awful.

No offense to our dentists — we promise we are not just rabid anti-dentites.

1hjpp0
Next thing you know, you're saying they should have their own schools. Credit: Seinfeld

People need root canals when the soft tissue inside the root of a tooth is inflamed or infected. That soft tissue, called the pulp, helps our teeth grow but we don’t need it once that process is done. According to the American Association of Endodontists, the pulp can be compromised because of decay, a crack in the tooth or other injury. It could show itself with pain, sensitivity to temperature and pressure, discoloration and swelling.

Read: Scuba Diving Can Hurt Your Teeth

During a root canal, your dentist will open up your tooth, clean out the pulp, fill up the tooth with other safe material, then close it off.

In case you are the curious kind and would love a bloodcurdling visual, imgur has your back:

Root canal procedure

See also:

Caveman Cavities Were Unpleasant

What Eating Other People Does to Your Body