While it’s normal to have some anxiety about root canals, they are very safe, straightforward, and more common than you think.
It is often common for people to put off visiting their dentist. If they know they have a dental procedure to schedule, they may be even more likely to delay necessary care due to fear of pain and discomfort. One of the most feared dental procedures is the root canal. While it’s normal to have some anxiety about root canals, they are very safe, straightforward, and more common than you think. Your dentist at Olney Dental is prepared to provide the best care during your root canal procedure. If you put off a root canal, you put yourself at risk for the following consequences that can have far-reaching effects.
Extreme Pain
Root canals treat infections within the innermost layer of your tooth. Those infections are excruciating, much more so than a root canal surgery! Without treatment, the infection will progress and worsen. A root canal marks the end of your pain and discomfort by removing the terrible infection.
Tooth Loss
Root canals are designed to preserve your existing tooth. Because you cannot really replace a natural tooth, dentists avoid extraction unless absolutely necessary. However, an extraction may be needed if you put off your root canal. The longer you wait, the more infected the tooth will become, eventually even decaying. Then, a dental implant, bridge, or dentures may be required.
An Acute Dental Abscess
An acute dental abscess is a severe health condition that requires immediate emergency care. These abscesses are pockets of pus located at the end of the tooth’s root on infected tissue. They can be caused by an untreated infection in your tooth’s dentin. In serious cases, this infection can spread to your brain.
Sepsis
When you put off a root canal, you put yourself at risk for sepsis. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that can damage several organs. As the infection worsens, bacteria overwhelm the tooth. The tooth decays until a hole forms in its side, letting the infection drain into the gums, cheek, skin, and blood. Once the infection enters your blood, sepsis occurs.
Bone Loss
An untreated infection can impact your jawbone. As the infection moves downward and attacks the tip of the tooth’s root, this can result in severe root decay and bone loss.
Swelling and Pressure
The tooth infections that require root canals cause significant swelling and pressure in your head, face, and neck. These areas will be increasingly sensitive as your infection spreads.
Systemic Inflammation
The infection in your tooth can cause inflammation to spread throughout your body. This “systemic inflammation” puts you at risk of a stroke or heart disease. Because infections can spread quickly from the mouth to other parts of your body, you must not put off your root canal.
Avoid More Difficult Treatment
When you schedule your root canal promptly, you avoid more challenging dental procedures. Root canals may sound frightening, but they are relatively simple, safe, and highly effective. The recovery time is faster than implants or extractions. However, if you delay treatment, your infection worsens, and it becomes more challenging for the dentist to remove the infected material. To avoid many problems and health risks, schedule your root canal with Olney Dental immediately.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.