Your tooth is hurting, but it’s more than that. You’re struggling to swallow, perhaps you’ve got a fever–the pain has spread and anything colder or hotter than room temperature is excruciating. If you’re experiencing symptoms like this, you may require an emergency root canal.

To understand the urgency of a root canal, you may need to understand what exactly is happening in your tooth and how your dentist can fix it.

Root Canals Are Used to Treat Infected Teeth

Authorities such as the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have discussed the problem of oral health disparity in the United States. As much as 80 percent of Americans wait to receive treatment for a cavity because they can’t afford it. Nearly a quarter of the population doesn’t have insurance. The result? Tooth decay that could have been treated with a filling evolves into a full-blown infection.

When bacteria are able to infiltrate the pulp of the tooth and spread to surrounding tissue, the inside of the tooth becomes a bacterial hotspot, inflamed, tender, and swollen. This can form an abscess, visibly swelling the face and gums.

Untreated Infections Are a Serious Health Concern

Every infection that threatens your body needs to be treated. This is why we have antibiotics. An infected tooth is an active threat to your body that can cause long-term health complications. In severe cases, an infection can spread to the sinus and other parts of the body or develop into sepsis, the body’s potentially fatal response to infection. The Mayo Clinic confirms these risks are even more serious for people with compromised immune systems.

Do Not Wait to Get Root Canal Therapy

We recognize that many people are barred from dental care due to its affordability. This should never be the case. No one should suffer a life-threatening complication of a cavity because of the cost of treatment. Fortunately, many dentists offer payment options that make treatment more accessible. When looking for an emergency dentist to perform your root canal in Rock Hill, look for:

  • Membership plans. If you don’t have insurance, a membership plan is a way for your dentist to provide all of your annual treatment and emergency procedures for one monthly payment.
  • Financing Options. If you can’t afford to pay for a root canal out of pocket, your dentist may have financing options that allow you to pay for your procedure over time.
  • Accepted Insurance. Most dentists accept dental insurance. Make sure yours is covered by your dentist of choice.

Look for an Emergency Dentist in Your Area

If you’re already familiar with a dentist in Rock Hill, call them to check their availability for emergency appointments. Many dentists set aside time throughout the day for these.

If your dentist can’t get you in the same day or the next, look into emergency dentists in your area. Do not wait until you can get in with your primary dentist if they can’t fit you in right away.

We Provide Affordable Emergency Root Canals in Rock Hill

Don’t suffer through several more days or weeks with an infected tooth. Our team at Kind Dental can fit you in on the same day that you call. We also accept FFS and PPO insurance and offer membership plans and financing. We don’t want any barriers to stand in the way of your health and comfort.

Visit Kind Dental in Rock Hill, SC for all of your dental needs, including restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Call 803-879-1722 to schedule your appointment. We also accept walk-ins for emergencies.