Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Avoid a Root Canal

A root canal is often described as some sort of nightmare procedure in the media, but that is far from reality. The truth is, a root canal is not that different from getting a cavity closed up with fillings.

Due to the wrong perception many have of root canals, there are some people who could benefit from it but avoid it like the plague because they are terrified of the idea of having to go through a painful treatment at the dentist's clinic. People with dental anxiety are often scared of minimally invasive procedures like teeth cleanings, so for them, having to get a root canal seems like the end of the world.

Why a root canal should not be avoided

Let's take a look at a few reasons why you should never avoid a root canal if you need one:

1. The tooth might be infected

One of the reasons why a person might need a root canal is because of an infected tooth. If an infection is left untreated long enough, the damage caused by the decay can cause the tooth to fall out, or a dentist might decide to extract it to keep the infection from getting to other parts of the body.

The innermost layer of a tooth called the pump chamber is where a tooth infection starts. This chamber contains blood vessels and nerves, and it is protected from bacteria, saliva and food particles by the outer layers of a tooth. Once these areas are damaged by decay or trauma, it loses its protection. At that point, it is only a matter of time before the tooth is infected if it is not treated.

2. It brings an end to an extremely painful toothache

The only pain related to root canals is the pain that brings patients to the clinic in the first place. It is the type of pain that keeps people up all night and unfocused during the day. The pain will continually increase until the tooth is treated.

For some patients, the pain comes and goes, which is a sign that the tooth's nerves are dying. The pain will stop when the nerves are completely dead and the pain goes away, but the infection will continue to spread and create new issues.

3. It will get a lot worse

An infection does not just disappear when treatment is not administered. It can travel through the tooth's root to the jawbone and create abscesses. An abscess leads to more pain and inflammation throughout the body. It can eventually lead to heart disease or a stroke.

4. It saves your real tooth

When a root canal is performed before an infected tooth gets out of hand, the patient gets to keep their real tooth. If the person avoids the necessary root canal, the dentist might have to extract the tooth instead when they eventually go to a clinic. An extracted tooth would need to be replaced with a prosthetic like an implant or bridge.

Get an emergency root canal

At our San Antonio office, we perform emergency root canals so our patients do not have to wait weeks for an appointment. Stop by and get the treatment you need today.

Request an appointment here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com or call Preferred Dental Center at (210) 822-8500 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.

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