I am 27 and I have had three root canals. I am certainly in no place to judge (and please don't judge me either). I have seemed to have gotten better at brushing though, no cavities last visit!

Root canals aren't as painful as some people make them out to be. It is more about being uncomfortable (because of the placement of the back teeth) than anything else. As long as you have a competent dentist, take a few tylenol, aleeve or advil afterwards and you should be fine. The expense however, is an entirely different matter. :(