Inside every healthy tooth is a hollow opening, or root canal, filled with soft tissue, which is composed of blood vessels and nerves. This tissue is called the pulp, and if it gets inflamed or infected, it requires treatment. During root canal therapy, an endodontist removes the damaged pulp, disinfects the tooth, and seals it with a protective crown. Below, the team at Grassi & Grassi, PC, in Rochester, NY, shares a few signs and symptoms that you might need to undergo this dental procedure.

3 Symptoms That May Require Root Canal Therapy to Treat

1. Inflamed Gums

Depending on the extent of the infection, the gums around the affected tooth can become swollen and inflamed. If you notice puffy gums that are tender to the touch, make an appointment with your endodontist as soon as possible to determine and address the underlying cause.

2. Tooth Pain

There are dozens of possible causes of persistent tooth pain, and infected pulp is one of them. If you experience either persistent or sporadic tooth pain or extreme sensitivity to hot and cold food, it is unlikely the discomfort will subside on its own. And if an infection is responsible for the pain, it is only going to get worse until you schedule root canal therapy.

3. Pimple-Like Boil on the Gums

If you notice a small boil that almost looks like a pimple on your gums and it releases blood or pus when you apply pressure, it could be indicative of an underlying infection. This is called a fistula, and it is your body’s way of draining pus that has accumulated as the result of an infection.

Don’t leave pain unaddressed or an infection untreated. If you think you need root canal therapy, head to Grassi & Grassi, PC, as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about identifying the potential cause of your tooth pain on their website. To schedule an appointment in Rochester, NY, call (585) 424-1111 today.