When a dentist suggests a root canal, it can be very tempting to put off treatment if the tooth isn’t bothering you too much at the time. Some pray that the discomfort will subside of its own accord, or delay the treatment because they are preoccupied, nervous or not sure whether the procedure is really essential. But a tooth needing a root canal generally has damage or infection that affects the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Unlike minor discomfort, this problem doesn’t go away simply because the pain gets better for a while. Waiting to treat can allow the original infection or damage to worsen and can make saving the tooth more difficult.
Read this guide to learn more about what happens when you wait too long to get root canal treatment.
Infection May Spread
One of the main reasons that dentists suggest a root canal is to eliminate infected or inflamed pulp from the inner layer of a tooth. If neglected, bacteria may still multiply in the root canal system and ultimately migrate out of the root of the tooth. This can result in an abscess or infection of the surrounding tissue.
The condition may seem easy to handle at first, as the pain can vary. However, the lack of pain does not necessarily mean that the infection has disappeared. Sometimes the nerve inside the tooth is so badly damaged or dies that the original pain goes away even if the infection remains. Once the infection has spread beyond the tooth, treatment can become more complex, making it vital to get root canal as soon as possible.
Tooth Pain May Get More Severe
You never know when your tooth will hurt. You may notice that you are sensitive to hot or cold or have a hard time biting down or maybe a dull ache that will come and go. Then it can get a lot more intense, all at once. This may happen if there is more inflammation inside the tooth or if an infection starts to impact the tissues around the root.
Some people delay getting treatment due to mild symptoms. Sadly, dental pain doesn’t always follow a gradual course. A tooth that is slightly uncomfortable one week may be extremely painful later. Severe toothache can also disrupt sleep, eating, focus, and daily activities. It’s better to have chronic or frequent symptoms assessed than to wait until the pain is hard to manage.
An Abscess May Develop
An abscess is a build-up of pus caused by infection and can occur from an ignored dental infection. If the abscess drains, it can cause swelling close to the tooth, sensitivity of the gum, pain, fever or a bad taste in the mouth. An abscess is not something to mess around with. Dental infections may spread well past the immediate area, causing the infection to become more severe. If you develop marked facial swelling, problems with swallowing or respiration, a fever, or quickly worsening symptoms, seek immediate medical and dental attention. One easy way dentists can care for a tooth is by performing a root canal, removing the infection from inside the tooth and maintaining the natural tooth.
Tooth Can Get Weaker
A tooth needing a root canal might already have extensive decay, cracks, trauma or damage to the structure. If you keep using that tooth without fixing it, it can get worse. As decay advances, it can destroy more of the tooth. A crack can also be extended further, especially if the tooth is subjected to constant pressure from chewing. The less normal tooth structure that is remaining, the harder it becomes to restore the tooth. This is especially true for back teeth, which are subjected to large forces during chewing. Depending on how much tooth structure is left, your dentist might suggest a crown after root canal treatment to help protect the treated tooth.
Harder to Save the Tooth
The ultimate purpose of a root canal is to save a natural tooth that would otherwise require extraction. But whether a tooth can be preserved depends in part on the extent to which healthy structure is left and how far the infection or damage has progressed. If treatment is put off too long, decay may eliminate more of the tooth, or a crack can go below the gum line. Sometimes, the tooth might get too damaged to be restored predictably. It doesn’t mean that every delayed root canal can result in tooth loss. Even with advanced infection, many teeth can be effectively treated. However, postponing treatment unjustly can restrict the number of treatment options.