The Price of Procrastination: Why You Shouldn’t Put Off a Root Canal

A root canal is often seen as a daunting procedure, which is why many patients procrastinate when needing treatment. However, delaying a root canal is never a good idea as it can have severe consequences. If you want to learn why putting off your treatment could spell dental disaster, continue reading.

Increased Pain and Discomfort

The purpose of a root canal is to get rid of your tooth pain. Delaying the treatment will only allow it to get worse. The source of the pain is at the center of your tooth in the “pulp.” This layer contains all the nerve-endings that help your teeth detect temperature and pressure.

When decay reaches the pulp chamber, it can infect the tissues around the nerves. This causes them to send pain signals to your brain, asking for help. A root canal removes the infected pulp, ending the pain and keeping the infection from spreading.

Spread of Infection

One of the most significant risks of delaying a root canal is the potential spread of infection beyond the affected tooth. The bacteria responsible for the infection can seep into the surrounding gums and jawbone, leading to serious oral health issues.

Abscesses, pockets of bacterial pus, are one of the more dangerous consequences of these types of infections. In other advanced cases, the infection can even enter the bloodstream, causing sickness or systemic complications like heart disease.

Increased Cost and Complexity

As an infection progresses, the complexity of treatment increases, along with the associated costs. Delaying a root canal may necessitate surgical intervention to address advanced infection and tissue damage. If your affected tooth turns into a dental emergency, you will see other added costs. Dealing with a root canal early is not only good for your teeth, but also for your wallet! 

Procrastinating on root canals can lead to many negative consequences like increased pain, tooth loss, infection, and compromised health. This is why it’s important to see your dentist if you start to show symptoms of tooth infection or damage. Don’t delay getting professional dental care. Your dentist can assess your condition and schedule a root canal to save your tooth and get rid of your pain. The quicker you resolve the issue, the faster you can go back to living worry-free. 

About the Practice

Root canals are off-putting for many patients. However, at Anderson Dental Center their team of dental experts has the technology and the knowledge to make the experience comfortable and efficient. They strive to make their office a place where you can get quality dental care in a stress-free zone. Call (201) 546-7435 to schedule a root canal consultation or visit the website to explore other services.