Not Just Another Day: Who has the nerve to appreciate root canals?

There’s probably nothing that can set one’s teeth on edge quite like hearing that you need to have a root canal. Some of us would rather fight tooth and nail to keep from having such a distressing dental procedure.

But, believe it or not, there’s actually a “National Root Canal Appreciation Day!” It was yesterday, May 8th, I kid you not. This wacky day in defense of dentistry was created back in 2005 by a Madison, WI dentist, Dr. Chris Kammer, who became known as “The Rockin’ Dentist” because of his wacky ways of raising awareness about root canals.

Some of you may even remember this guy because he is certainly hard to forget. This dentist performed a root canal at home plate on the field of the Madison Mallards baseball team at Warner Park (aka “The Duck Pond”). “We need to hit a home run for the image of the root canal,” said Kammer. “They save millions of teeth every year and the time has come to give the much-maligned procedure the respect it deserves.” Not only did “The Rockin’ Dentist” introduce his “Root Canal Rap” at the event, he also managed to somehow inspire 5,991 baseball fans to brush their teeth. Simultaneously!

But wait, there’s more! After that, the guy showed up at American Idol auditions in Milwaukee (Season 10) where he performed his infamous song, “Get Out the Brush,” while dancing around with a giant toothbrush! Since then, he has appeared in various venues across the country in an effort to change people’s way of thinking about the dreaded root canal by educating folks on how the procedure has progressed from being pretty painful back in the day, to being practically pleasant nowadays.

Root canals are apparently one of the most common and misunderstood dental procedures. They are performed to remove infected pulp and nerve from the root of a troubled tooth before the inside is shaped, filled, and sealed with a crown to save and protect the natural tooth from having to be extracted. The procedure prevents the spread of infection which could lead to serious health problems, including heart disease. Ergo, a root canal might just be saving a life, all while relieving toothache pain—not causing it. Most patients say the procedure is no more uncomfortable than getting a cavity filled.

Root Canal Appreciation Day is also about promoting the recognition of dental professionals everywhere who help to keep us all smiling and chewing. Why not commemorate the day (belatedly) the way 4 out of 5 dentists recommend? Take precautions against the perpetual power of plaque by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Honor the day by purchasing a new toothbrush, stocking up on dental floss, and scheduling your next checkup and/or cleaning. Proper oral hygiene is essential for healthy teeth and gums.

Even though root canals can save us from the terrors of toothless grins, it’s still hard to believe that many people could ever actually celebrate Root Canal Appreciation Day. Because they’d lose their nerve!