Movies and cartoons have played the old trope of the sadistic dentist to great comedic effect, but these representations have given many people the wrong idea about root canals. While you should definitely take care to avoid needing a root canal, neglecting to get one when you need one can have significant and unfortunate consequences for your oral and overall health. Here’s why skipping a needed root canal is a terrible idea.
What Do Root Canals Do?
Tooth decay results from bacteria eating their way through the enamel layer. If it is caught in the pre-cavity spot stage, it can be reversed, but once a cavity forms, it will only get worse without professional intervention. Once the cavity reaches the pulp at the center of a tooth, this tissue becomes infected and inflamed, causing a severe and throbbing toothache that will not get better on its own.
A root canal can resolve this issue by removing the infected pulp tissue, sanitizing and sealing the interior of the tooth, and placing a crown to restore the tooth to its original function while protecting it from further infections. This process is rendered painless by a local anesthetic, and any pain afterward can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
What Happens If I Skip My Root Canal?
Untreated tooth decay will inevitably lead to tooth loss, but the unpleasant effects do not stop there. Tooth decay represents an infection, and it can spread to other teeth if it is allowed to remain in the mouth. To make matters worse, the bacteria in the infected tooth can spread throughout the body through the airway and bloodstream, leading to dangerous secondary infections like pneumonia and sepsis. Skipping a root canal has sent many people to the emergency room.
If your dentist is recommending that you get a root canal, you can rest assured that it is for good reason. There is no discomfort a root canal can give you that is not vastly exceeded by the misery resulting from untreated tooth decay. Do your mouth a favor and show up to that root canal appointment. Your full smile will thank you.
About the Practice
Salmon Brook Dental delivers the highest quality dental care available in Granby, CT. Led by Drs. Kenneth Endres and Gunveen Chawla, the staff treats each patient with genuine compassion and effective dental methods. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry in addition to root canal treatments. For more information on the benefits of root canals, contact her office online or dial (860) 653-4551.