Dental pulp is the soft area in the center of a tooth where the veins, nerves, and connective tissues are located. When dental pulp becomes infected or damaged, Dr. Steven Ross may recommend a root canal in Salinas, California. Root canal therapy is the process by which our dentist removes infected dental pulp from a tooth. The following are signs that you may need a root canal:
- Toothache
- Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Discoloration of a tooth
- Swelling and pain in the gums
- A pimple on the gums that will not go away
When dental pulp is infected, bacteria forms in the pulp chamber. If not treated, the infection can spread. An abscess, a pus-filled pocket, may form on the roots of the tooth. Untreated damaged pulp can also cause bone loss around your tooth root. Drainage problems may also occur, creating a hole in the side of the tooth. The drainage will then go into the gums. Infected pulp can cause swelling that can spread to the face, neck, or head. Through root canal therapy, we can avoid these and other complications.
We encourage you to contact Ross Family Dental today to learn more about root canal therapy and to schedule your next appointment with our dentist.