It’s easy to come up with excuses for postponing a root canal procedure. Whether it’s due to the fear of possible discomfort or the concern for how long a root canal can take—or even for the time it might take to locate a root canal specialist—putting it off is not only delaying the inevitable, but may also be causing bigger problems. 
- The tooth is infected and dying; a root canal stops the infection: While the outer layers of the tooth are hard, the inner pulp is made of soft, living tissue. This tissue sometimes becomes infected (through deep decay, cracks in the tooth surface, etc.), and begins to die. Once that happens, treatment is needed right away — to stop the pain, control the infection, and keep it from spreading.
- Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain: That’s right: Root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain — it relieves it. The procedure is relatively painless, despite the old stories you might have heard. In fact, it’s not unlike having a cavity treated, though it may take a little longer. So if you’re experiencing tooth pain (a major symptom in most cases of root canal trouble), remember that the sooner you get it treated, the sooner you’ll be pain-free.
- It won’t get better on its own: While it has certainly been attempted innumerable times, waiting for a toothache to disappear is simply not a viable option. Even if the pain does go away, it’s not time to cancel your dental appointment: while it is possible for inflammation to subside and nerves to heal, the more likely scenario is that pulp tissues and nerves inside the tooth are all dead. Root canal system infections can and will continue to get worse without help. Addressing it promptly increases the chances of preserving your natural tooth and alleviating the discomfort you’re experiencing sooner.
- It could get worse: Left untreated, bacteria from the infected tooth pulp can travel through the roots of the tooth and into the tissue of the gums and jaw. That can cause a painful, pus-filled abscess to form, which will require urgent treatment. In extreme cases, it can also result in increasing systemic (whole-body) inflammation, potentially putting you at risk for more serious conditions, like heart disease and stroke.
- Root Canal Treatment Can Save the Tooth: If you neglect treatment of a root canal problem long enough, you’re at serious risk for losing the infected tooth. And tooth loss, once it starts, can bring on a host of other problems — like an increased risk of tooth decay on remaining teeth, as well as gum disease, bite problems… and, as oral health problems escalate, even more tooth loss. Why put yourself at risk?
Schedule A Consultation
At Lowcountry Family Dentistry we help our patients restore their optimal oral health through patient education and high quality, modern dentistry. We invite new and returning patients to experience the difference of our consultative approach to your oral health. Our Beaufort dentist office is equipped with state of the art dental technology and offers a comfortable, welcoming environment for you to enjoy. To schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Covington or DuRant call our office at (843) 986-0177 or use our online form.
A Complete Guide to the SC State Dental Plan