Root canal treatment can help restore a damaged tooth back to health. When the pulp tissue of a tooth (the nerves, lymph and blood vessels) is diseased or injured it can die. The most common causes of pulp death are a fractured tooth or a deep cavity. These situations can expose the pulp to the bacteria found in the mouth causing infection inside the tooth. If the damaged or diseased pulp is not removed, the surrounding teeth and tissues can also become infected as well as the rest of your body. Without treatment, your tooth could eventually have to be removed.  Root canals can save a compromised tooth, remove the pain, and rid the body of infection.