The root canal is how the naturally occurring cavity in your tooth is described. In the soft area inside there is a pulp where the tooth’s nerve is contained. When dentists do root canal therapy in Bridgeport CT or anywhere else, they scoop out the pulp and nerve inside the tooth and finish by cleaning and sealing the tooth. If this doesn’t get done, the gum and tissue around that tooth can become infected and an abscess may form. In case you get worried, once a tooth is in your mouth, the nerve only has one function – to let you know if something is cold or hot. Having the nerve removed will have no effect on the tooth other than that.
The Purpose of Removing the Tooth’s Pulp
When the pulp inside a tooth gets damaged, it breaks apart and allows bacteria to grow in that space. Those bacteria can be the start of an infection and might lead to an abscess. An abscess forms at the ends of the tooth’s roots and is a pocket filled with pus. Beside the issue of an abscess, infection in the root canal can bring about:
- Face and neck swelling
- Bone loss in your jaw
- Drainage of infection into your gums or even into your cheek
Signs that you may need Root Canal Therapy
There might not even be any signs at all that you are in need of a root canal, but these are a few things you might want to see your dentist for:
- If it hurts you to chew
- If you are really sensitive to hot or cold food or beverages
- You have swollen or tender gums
For any other dental concerns or questions, Commerce Park Cosmetic Dentistry is always ready to serve you. Their dentists are first-rate and the staff is compassionate and friendly.
