You’ve been told that you need a root canal treatment ASAP. But that sounds expensive, or even scary, and you can’t help but wonder, “what’s the worst that could happen if I just postponed it?”
As it turns out, there are some pretty serious consequences to postponing or flat-out ignoring a root canal treatment! Keep reading to learn why your dentist is so eager to have it done sooner than later.
What Does a Root Canal Do?
Before diving into the meat of this topic, it would probably help to have a thorough understanding of what root canals actually do! Basically, your dentist will make a small hole in your troubled tooth so that they can clean out harmful substances like bacteria and infection. Teeth can’t heal themselves or fight off illnesses on their own, meaning the only way to eliminate internal hazards is to remove them via root canal.
The Infection Will Spread
Since your teeth can’t get rid of an infection without help, it will only spread as time goes on. If it reaches your dental nerves, your ability to perceive pain in that tooth can become impaired. But what’s really dangerous is the potential for the infection to spread to other areas of your body. It’s exceedingly rare, but infections this severe can nevertheless be deadly.
You’ll Spend More Money Later
Overall, postponing your root canal is likely going to cost you more money than the root canal itself. Treating a more complicated infection is more expensive, and if you lose teeth because of it, you’ll want to have them replaced with a quality dental restoration. “A stitch in time saves nine,” as the saying goes!
Don’t Fear the Root Canal
Many times, fear is what holds patients back from scheduling their root canals promptly. To be fair, it has been portrayed as a painful dental procedure in pop culture and has a poor reputation. However, thanks to modern anesthetics, root canal treatments are usually minimal in terms of discomfort. Most patients simply feel relieved after having the source of their toothache removed!
If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming root canal, please talk to your dentist before rescheduling. Your comfort is their priority, and they’ll gladly work with you to make sure you get the oral care you need.
About the Practice
At Cromer & Cairns Dental, we have three highly experienced dentists on staff who are ready to help you with all your oral needs. As our resident endodontist, Dr. Hartman would be happy to consult with you about your root canal, and will address your questions and concerns with compassion. To contact our office for a same-day emergency appointment, contact our office at 772-562-5051.