Saving Smiles: 3 Reasons Not to Skip a Root Canal

Did you visit your dentist regarding a toothache only to learn that you need a root canal? Many patients get anxious about services they think might hurt, and this treatment is no exception. However, if you’re overly afraid, you might avoid scheduling your procedure.

You might think it’s safe to skip your root canal, but unfortunately, you will likely come to regret the decision. Continue reading to learn about 3 potential consequences you can avoid by contacting your provider for an appointment sooner rather than later!

Concern #1: Persistent Aches

You might think this treatment is unnecessary, despite your dentist’s recommendation, if you’re only experiencing minor discomfort. Some people even mistakenly believe that the issue might take care of itself if given enough time.

Unfortunately, most oral issues don’t get better on their own and instead progressively worsen. You might not feel overly sore now, but the ache is likely due to bacteria that have penetrated the tender nerves of your teeth, causing inflammation and infection. Without a root canal, these germs will only continue to thrive, leading to severe or persistent pain.

In most cases, this procedure alleviates more discomfort than it causes, allowing you to feel better faster than if you avoid scheduling it.

Concern #2: Spreading Infection

The infection behind your toothache might start off small, but can quickly grow and spread throughout your mouth, putting your oral health at risk. For instance, it might permeate your jawbone, causing decay that can weaken the foundation of your mouth and facial structure. It can also affect your connective tissues and lead to gum disease.

If left untreated, it can even enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body, contributing to additional health concerns. For instance, you might develop sepsis, which occurs when your body overreacts to an infection, triggering a chain reaction that can damage other tissues and organs and can potentially become life threatening.

Concern #3: Tooth Loss

You might even assume that there will be time to treat your tooth effectively if you wait to schedule your procedure, but the longer you delay, the worse your condition will become. If your provider has recommended a root canal, they’ve likely already determined that other services, like a tooth-colored filling, are insufficient to address the underlying concern.

If you’ve developed an infection, a root canal often allows your dentist to alleviate the ache and clear away toxic microbes in circumstances that might otherwise require an extraction. If a tooth is removed, germs can easily infect the recently exposed nerves and bone tissues, exacerbating the situation.

As you can see, there are several excellent reasons to keep your root canal procedure on your calendar!

About the Practice

At Pace Dental of Vienna, you and your family benefit from two dentists committed to helping you build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Saad and Dr. Jafari share over 15 years of combined experience and collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of treatment options to serve people of all ages, including root canals. Their caring approach is combined with state-of-the-art technology to provide comfortable, accurate results you can trust. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (703) 938-6800.