Why You Shouldn’t Postpone Root Canals

Did you know that root canal therapy isn’t as bad as you think? In fact, most patients who have undergone the treatment say it’s comparable to having a cavity filled. Still, we understand that having root canal therapy probably isn’t something you’re exactly looking forward to. But waiting to have a root canal treated is usually a bad idea.

Sadly, there are many consequences of postponing this important procedure. For example, you may need root canal therapy because of an infection inside your mouth. If left untreated, your tooth could die and your infection can become worse. Similarly, your infection could spread to your other teeth or your gums, which could result in gum disease or lead to more teeth needing root canal therapy. An infection in your mouth can also spread to your body, leading to heart problems, inflammation, or a stroke.

Still, a root canal can be difficult to detect. In fact, sometimes there may not be any symptoms present at all. But, if you do need root canal therapy, you may expect to experience one or more of the following symptoms.

• A persistent or painful pimple that appears near your gum line. This pimple may be filled with pus.
• A toothache that may get worse when you bite into something or apply pressure
• Swelling or tenderness on the gums.
• Temperature sensitivity. This may be pain when you bite into something hot or cold.
• Discolored or darkened teeth.

Again, you may or may not notice these symptoms. For this reason, along with a variety of others, we recommend visiting your dentist every six months for a routine checkup.

If you are worried about the health of your smile, or have any questions about why you shouldn’t wait for root canal therapy, please feel free to contact us.