If you’ve been told you need a root canal, you might be wondering how much time you’ve got before things get worse. Maybe you’re trying to squeeze in work, travel, or just hoping the pain dies down. But there’s a line between waiting a bit and waiting too long. How long can you wait to get a root canal really depends on a few specific things, and dragging your feet can lead to more pain, damage, and bigger bills down the road.
Let’s break down what you need to know before you decide to wait.
What Your Dentist Recommends
If your dentist says you need a root canal, they’re not just throwing out a guess. They’ve seen signs of infection or damage inside your tooth that aren’t going to heal on their own. Dentists usually recommend getting a root canal within days—not weeks. That’s because once the soft tissue inside the tooth (the pulp) is infected or inflamed, it can spread fast.
The longer you wait, the more complex and painful the problem becomes. And if you wait too long, you might lose the tooth completely.
How Bad the Tooth Feels
If you’re dealing with sharp, throbbing, or constant pain—especially when eating or drinking—you shouldn’t delay this procedure. That discomfort means the nerve inside your tooth is angry, infected, or already dying.
Even if the pain goes away on its own, that’s not good news. It could mean the nerve’s dead, but the infection is still there. So the tooth might feel better, but the bacteria haven’t left. They’re just moving deeper.
Whether You’ve Got Swelling or Infection
Visible swelling in your gums, cheek, or jaw is a clear sign things have gone too far. Same goes for a pimple-like bump near your tooth. Those symptoms usually mean the infection’s already spreading beyond the root. At that point, your dentist might need to drain the area or prescribe antibiotics before the actual root canal.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long
While it’s not the end of the world to wait a day or two for a root canal, if you put off endodontic treatment for much longer, you could wind up dealing with some pretty serious complications.
Ignoring a root canal too long often means the tooth can’t be saved. Once that happens, your only options are an extraction and possibly a dental implant or bridge. That’s not just more expensive—it’s also more invasive.
Plus, losing a tooth can lead to shifting teeth, bite issues, and long-term problems with chewing or speaking. So even if the pain stops for now, the long-term consequences aren’t worth the delay.
Don’t Wait Too Long
If you’ve been told you need a root canal, there’s a reason. How long can you wait to get a root canal depends on the stage of the infection and how your tooth’s holding up—but delays almost always make things worse.
