Have you ever found yourself avoiding a root canal therapy? Do you avoid your dentist because you are worried that you might need this treatment? If so, please stop. Root canal therapy has advanced dramatically in recent years, making it almost completely painless. However, if you need root canal therapy and don’t get it, you could be putting your smile in danger.
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.
But, how do you know that you need root canal therapy. At times, there are actually no symptoms, and only a dentist will be able to detect the problem (this is another reason that for checkups every six months). For instance, if you notice one of your teeth changing color, you may need root canal therapy. Similarly, you could need this treatment if you experience pain or temperature sensitivity—especially when you bite down on something. Swollen or tender gums, or a recurrent of painful pimple can also be indicators. Again, we recommend visiting your dentist once every six months to search for issues like these.
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.
