Let’s be real.
No one wakes up excited about a root canal.
The thought of dental drills and hours in a chair? Not exactly fun.
So yeah, it’s easy to push it off.
But here’s the thing:
Delaying a root canal doesn’t make the problem go away. It just buries it deeper—literally and figuratively.
If you’ve been told you need one and are thinking, “I’ll wait a little longer,” this might help you reconsider that.
Below are 7 real-world consequences if you delay a root canal—and some of them aren’t just about your teeth.
Real-World Consequences if You Delay a Root Canal!
-
The Pain Gets Worse (And It Won’t Go Away on Its Own)
You might feel okay right now.
Maybe just a dull ache. Or it comes and goes.
But here’s the hard truth—
When your dentist says you need a root canal, it usually means the nerve inside your tooth is infected.
Once that happens, it doesn’t heal itself.
It spreads. Slowly. Then quickly.
What happens?
- The infection pushes deeper into the tooth.
- The swelling starts to build.
- Pressure builds up around the root.
That’s when the sharp, shooting pain begins. It can wake you up at night.
Painkillers? They’ll stop working after a while.
And trust me, ice packs and clove oil only go so far.
-
You Risk Losing the Tooth Entirely
A root canal is meant to save the tooth.
When you wait too long, it might be beyond saving.
At that point, your only real option is extraction.
Losing a tooth may not sound like a big deal at first. But once it’s gone?
- Your other teeth can shift
- Chewing feels uneven
- You may start avoiding certain foods
- It can mess with your speech
And then there’s the cost and hassle of getting a dental implant or bridge to replace it.
Which, by the way, costs way more than a root canal.
-
The Infection Can Spread Beyond Your Tooth
This one isn’t talked about enough.
If you delay treatment, that infection in your tooth can escape.
It doesn’t just stay neatly inside the tooth like you might hope.
It spreads.
Into your gums.
Your jawbone.
Sometimes even into your sinuses or bloodstream.
Yep, your bloodstream.
That’s when you start hearing scary words like sepsis or abscess.
People think it’s rare, but it’s not unheard of.
There have been real cases where untreated dental infections led to hospital stays.
Some even needed emergency surgery.
-
You Could Develop a Dental Abscess
What’s an abscess?
It’s a pocket of pus that forms at the root of your tooth.
It sounds gross because… well, it is.
And it’s painful.
So painful it keeps you up at night, steals your appetite, and clouds your mind.
The pressure from the pus buildup can cause swelling in your face or neck.
Your gums might look puffy.
You might even get a fever.
Sometimes, the abscess bursts on its own.
That might sound like relief, but it doesn’t fix the infection.
A root canal removes the cause.
An untreated abscess? That keeps the infection going.
-
Your Breath Might Start to Smell (Really Bad)
Let’s be honest—bad breath happens.
But when it’s caused by an infected tooth?
It’s not just a morning breath thing.
It lingers.
It smells… rotten.
And no amount of mouthwash is going to cover it.
Why does this happen?
- Bacteria feed on dead tissue
- Pus draining into your mouth
- Infection breaking down the tooth matter
It’s not just embarrassing. It’s a sign that something’s seriously off inside your mouth.
And let’s be real, your friends or coworkers probably won’t say anything.
But they will notice.
-
Chewing Becomes a Whole Process (Not in a Good Way)
When you have a tooth that’s hurting, chewing becomes complicated.
You start avoiding one side of your mouth.
You cut your food smaller.
Hot and cold foods? Forget it.
You create a mental map of what hurts and what doesn’t.
But here’s the issue—
That changes your bite.
And over time, putting pressure on just one side can cause problems with your jaw.
Sometimes, even lead to TMJ disorders.
A simple root canal could’ve kept things balanced.
Instead, everything starts shifting. Slowly.
-
It Ends Up Costing Way More
This one hits hard, especially if the reason you’re putting it off is the cost.
Understandable.
But here’s the weird part.
Delaying a root canal almost always makes it more expensive.
Why?
Because you end up needing more procedures:
- Emergency visits
- Tooth extraction
- Dental implants or bridges
- Additional root canals if the infection spreads
It’s like ignoring a small car repair until the engine fails.
A root canal now might sting financially.
But waiting? That’s a full-blown wallet punch.
So… How Long Can You Wait?
That’s the tricky part.
You can feel okay for a while.
Weeks, sometimes even months.
But the infection doesn’t just freeze in time.
It slowly chips away at the structure of your tooth.
By the time symptoms flare up again, it could be too late to save it.
What’s the Actual Root Canal Like?
This part surprises a lot of people.
Root canals aren’t as scary as they used to be.
Modern dentistry =
- Numbing gel + local anesthetic
- No actual pain during the procedure
- One or two appointments
- Some mild soreness afterward, but manageable
Most people say the pain before the procedure was way worse than the root canal itself.
Honestly, it’s just a long appointment. Bring headphones. Queue up a podcast. Get through it.
What You Can Do Right Now
If your dentist already told you a root canal is needed, don’t wait.
Here’s a simple list to take action:
- Call your dentist – Ask about scheduling ASAP
- Ask for payment options – Many clinics offer plans
- Research your symptoms – Are they getting worse?
- Don’t self-medicate forever – Painkillers just mask it
- Avoid risky home remedies – They won’t stop the infection
And if you’re unsure or nervous, that’s valid. Talk it out with your dentist.
They deal with this stuff every day. No judgment.
Delaying a root canal might feel harmless at first.
But it can spiral fast.
You’re not just risking pain—you’re risking your tooth, your wallet, and your health.
And honestly?
Facing it head-on is way easier than living in limbo with a ticking time bomb in your mouth.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Yeah, I probably need to book that appointment”—
Do it today.
Future you will thank you.
