Many of the ideas people have about root canals are outdated. For some reason, they have a reputation for being painful, invasive procedures—this just isn’t true. Still, that reputation has endured to such an extent that many people outright ignore their dentist when they’re told they might need a root canal.
Needless to say, that’s a bad idea. If your dentist has told you that you needed a root canal, there is almost certainly a reason why, and neglecting the problem won’t make it go away. If you need convincing, here’s why you should get the root canal you need before things get worse.
What Makes a Root Canal Necessary?
Root canals are mostly used in situations where the pulp inside the tooth has become severely infected. This condition is called pulpitis, and it tends to result in a pulsing, enduring pain from deep within the tooth. During the root canal, your dentist will remove the infected pulp and replace it with an artificial resin to protect the integrity of the tooth.
Pulpitis is a consequence of severe gum disease, so a tooth that needs a root canal is usually either dead or close to death. In most cases, the only other option would be to remove the tooth entirely.
What Happens If I Don’t Get a Root Canal?
Root canals are used to treat the severe infection within the tooth; if you don’t get one when you need it, that infection will only get worse. Your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics, but your teeth are incapable of properly fighting infection on their own, so their success will be limited.
Even if the pain fades, an infected tooth will continue to degrade, and may eventually fall out on its own. Plus, the problems don’t end there. Gum disease, especially when severe, has been linked with a host of other serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease. In some cases, bacteria from gum disease have even spread to the brain.
As you can see, it’s not a good idea to let an oral infection go unchecked. Thankfully, root canals aren’t nearly as scary as their reputation would have you think—with modern anesthetics, they’re completely painless. So, if your dentist says you need a root canal, you should definitely take them up on their offer.
About Our Practice
At Salmon Brook Dental, we know that you have a smile unlike any other, so we won’t treat you like just any other patient. Our expert dentists will be happy to give you the care and respect you deserve, and our dental team will make every effort to help you build and maintain good oral health. If you have any questions about root canals, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (860) 653-4551.