Frankly, no one is ever really excited to hear that they need a root canal. While they procedure isn’t nearly as scary as it’s made out to be, many patients are still made nervous by this treatment. As a result, it’s quite common for people to put off getting a root canal—sometimes indefinitely.
This can be a big problem, as avoiding root canal treatment can cause serious issues. Here’s why you should make it a point to get your toothache treated as quickly as you can.
What Happens if you Put Off a Root Canal?
Root canals are typically used to treat serious toothaches cause by an advanced infection. Such infections occur when bacteria penetrate into the tooth, usually as a result of cavities.
Unlike the rest of the body, your immune system isn’t really able to combat disease in the mouth. That means that if you don’t see the help of a professional the condition will only worsen. In the most severe cases, what started as a simple toothache could cause you to lose your tooth. Moreover, this infection could spread elsewhere in the mouth, causing damage to other teeth as well.
What If My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt Anymore?
Sometimes, patients find that a serious toothache suddenly seems to disappear. They often take this as a sign that their condition has improved. However, what has likely happened is that the infection has eroded the nerve tissue in the tooth to such an extent that you can no longer feel it.
This is a sign that the situation has gotten worse, not better. You should still get a root canal even if you can no longer feel your tooth.
The Good News about Root Canals
Thankfully, root canals are not nearly as scary as people make them out to be. They have a reputation for being painful and intense, when nothing could be further from the truth. Before receiving a root canal, your mouth will be numbed completely with a powerful anesthetic. This means that you can expect the treatment you need to be completely comfortable.
If your dentist tells you that you need a root canal, it’s a good idea to act fast; the process will be easy, and you can feel better in no time at all!
About Our Practice
At Shinkawa Dental, we make it a point to ensure the safety, comfort, and health of every member of your family. We know that dental care, and especially root canal, can be a little bit intimidating—that’s why we’re so proud to offer a style of dentistry that can make any procedure easy. No matter what it is that brings you to our practice, we can promise you empathy and compassion though every step of the process.
If you have any questions about root canals, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (559) 226-5656.