Whether it’s out of anxiety or other factors, studies show that 15% of American patients avoid root canal therapy and other potentially critical dental procedures every year. No matter what reason you have for putting off the procedure, one thing is for sure: delaying or even skipping a root canal in Lacey could have disastrous consequences for your smile. Here are 4 reasons why you don’t want to wait too long for the treatment!
1. Root Canals are for Infected or Dying Teeth
Teeth contain an inner layer called pulp that is made of soft, living tissue; it can become infected if a cavity or a crack allows bacteria to enter the tooth. To stop the pain and prevent the infection from spreading, root canal therapy must be performed. Doing so will help you preserve your natural teeth and keep your smile full and healthy.
2. A Root Canal Will Relieve Your Pain
The discomfort felt during a root canal is not unlike what you’d experience if you had a cavity treated. In other words, despite what you might have heard, root canal therapy is not an especially painful dental procedure; in fact, it’s the opposite! Removing dental pulp also removes the infected nerves that are causing your toothache, meaning the therapy actually helps to relieve pain. You might need to use pain medication or an ice pack while you’re recovering from the procedure, but this discomfort will pass over time.
3. Getting a Root Canal Can Prevent an Extraction Later
If there’s an oral infection that won’t go away, there’s a very good chance that you’ll lose the tooth altogether. Unfortunately, that won’t be the end of your problems; your remaining teeth could drift out of place, and you’ll have a higher risk off gum disease. Eventually, you could suffer from even more tooth loss.
4. Infected Teeth Will Not Get Better Without a Root Canal; They Only Get Worse
If you wait long enough, your toothache might go away – but that’s no reason to celebrate. It just means that the infection has killed all of the nerves in your tooth; it hasn’t actually gone away. At this point, the bacteria in the pulp could enter the tooth roots, spreading the infection to your gums and jaw. In a worst cases scenario, an abscess (a painful pocket filled with pus) could form; if that happens, you’ll need urgent treatment to protect your mouth as well as your body.
If your dentist in Lacey recommends a root canal, don’t put it off; make time for the procedure as soon as possible, preferably within a few days. You’ll be happy you did over the long term when you look in the mirror and see a complete row of natural, healthy pearly whites!
About the Practice
At Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we are proud to provide comprehensive dental services for the entire family. If you’re suffering from persistent tooth pain, we can help you protect your tooth and the rest of your grin with root canal therapy. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (360) 459-4420.