Any type of tooth pain is not healthy. It is a signal from your body that something is happening that needs immediate attention. The pain may be the result of a small cavity or something as serious as a root canal infection.
It’s no secret that no one wants to even think about root canal treatment. But the fear of the procedure is entirely unwarranted. Today dentists use updated instruments, techniques, and state-of-the-art sedation to make your root canals comfortable and stress-free.
Putting Off Treatment Is a Bad Idea!
In the entire history of dentistry, there has never been one single dental condition that gets better or goes away without some treatment. We appreciate your concern, but postponing a root canal because you are fearful of the procedure can threaten your oral health and, yes, even your life if not treated.
Deep inside your tooth is a spongy core called pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive. Prevention and proper at-home oral hygiene keep your tooth healthy, but neglect can lead to an infection, or abscess, in this area. When this happens, the tooth has no way of protecting or healing itself, so we need to perform root canal treatment to eliminate the infection and relieve your pain.
Consequences of Delaying Root Canal Treatment
There are several consequences to delaying treatment, and none of them are pleasant.
- If we don’t treat the tooth, the pain of infection will worsen, and our only option for giving you relief will be to extract the tooth.
- An untreated root canal infection leads to bone loss in the jaw that may create an opening in the gum that leaks pus and other fluid.
- In some cases, postponing treatment can cause a serious condition called septicemia (blood poisoning). Septicemia is a localized infection that can travel to other parts of the body like the lungs, heart, or brain. In rare cases, septicemia is life-threatening.
Please Call Our Office
Are you concerned about a painful tooth, but worried about treatment? At our Bonita Springs, FL dental office, we perform root canals using state-of-the-art technology and stress-reducing sedation techniques that assure your comfort. Please call us to learn more!