If I have a tooth that needs a root canal treatment that no longer hurts, how long can I put off getting the treatment done? I’m really having a hard time paying my mortgage at the moment and I don’t know that I can spare the money at the moment.
Paul
Dear Paul,
It sounds like you are in some difficult circumstances. The economy has been challenging for so many. Because I haven’t examined you, it will be hard to give you something definitive. However, I can give you some general guidelines.
If the tooth is hurting, then you should be seen right away. This is a sign of an active infection. I would consider it a dental emergency, if only to get you out of pain as soon as possible. I would get seen even if it was hurting just a little bit. While you are not in pain now, I do not want you to ignore it if it starts back up.
Another sign you will need to be seen is if there is a pimple on your gums. This is known as an abscess, which is yet another sign of an active infection.
On the other hand, if your tooth has not hurt for a while, then you may be dealing with an arrested infection. Some people have an arrested infection for years. I know of one woman who had one for more than a decade.
You should be aware that, while the infection is not growing, it still does have an impact on your body. The woman I told you about with the long term arrested infection didn’t realize that the run down feeling she’d been having was because of the infected tooth. Once the root canal treatment was finally done, she felt better than she had in years.
I say this so you will know that if your financial circumstances change, it will be of great benefit to your overall well being to get this infection taken care of. You will feel so much better.
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