Reasons You Should Not Delay Your Root Canal Treatment

While having a root canal done is not on the top of anyone’s list, it is important not to delay it if you need one. As a surgical procedure, dentists use this to salvage extremely diseased or damaged teeth. Instead of feeling scared, understand that without this treatment, you could put your other teeth and health at risk. If you experience tooth pain, contact your dentist right away.

Why people avoid root canal treatment

The number one reason people put off having a root canal is the fear of pain. However, because the dentist numbs the area, the patient does not experience any. Even after going home, it only takes a short time before the person feels back to normal. Every year, millions of people across the country have this procedure done — so, it cannot be all that bad.

Why root canal treatment shouldn't be delayed

The following are a few reasons why someone should seek root canal treatment as soon as possible.

1. Stops infection

In most cases, by the time an individual needs a root canal, the involved tooth has become infected. In simple terms, it has started to die. Although the outer portion of the tooth consists of hard enamel, the inside is soft pulp, which is actually living tissue. If that becomes infected due to a chipped, cracked or decayed tooth, it leads to intense pain. A root canal stops the infection and prevents it from spreading to the surrounding teeth.

2. Pain relief

As stated, an infected tooth is quite painful. Initially, a person may experience discomfort only when biting down on something hard. However, that eventually turns to bona fide pain that never goes away. Because a dentist or endodontist removes the infected debris, pain immediately subsides. The sooner a person sees their dentist, the better off in the long run.

3. No self-healing

A chipped, cracked or decayed tooth is not like a sprained ankle that heals itself over time. While a lot of people try to ignore the problem, that only makes matters worse. Simply put, the pain and the infection will not go away without intervention. Think of the infection like embers in a fire: Damaged teeth constantly create risk. Thankfully, a root canal treatment resolves the issue.

4. Worsening problem

One of the main concerns is that without seeing a dentist, the problem will only worsen. The infection in the tooth can actually enter a person’s bloodstream. If that happens, the individual can become seriously ill. It also affects the gums as well as the jaw. At some point, small pus-filled abscesses form. When that happens, having a root canal is vital.

5. Saving a tooth

Something that every dentist focuses on is saving their patient’s natural teeth. If a person waits too long to have a root canal done, that might not be an option. By extracting the tooth, the individual would either have a big gap or they would need an implant. The better option is to maintain the existing teeth, allowing people to chew with ease.

Never ignore the signs of needing a root canal

If you start to experience discomfort in a tooth that turns to pain, contact your dentist. By performing an examination and taking X-rays, they can determine if you need a root canal. If you do, your dentist will go over the procedure with you — detail by detail. Remember, this treatment is virtually painless and highly beneficial.

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