"I don't want to go to the dentist if I can avoid it because he may recommend a root canal or something."
Heah stop right there - do you know that there are wholistic dentists out there, try to find an alternative, wholistic dentist in your area - one that uses low radiation xrays, does not use mercury fillings, and tries to save teeth first and foremost.
And "recommendations" cannot hurt you - you are acting as if the dentist said "jump" your reply would be "how high" - if anybody makes a recommendation to you it does not mean you have to act upon it - you can get a second opinion or research the matter further yourself.