Root canal? I hope not.

I have a dental appointment tomorrow morning. It's for my regularly scheduled 6-month cleaning.

Up until about a week ago, I thought it would be just another typical cleaning with my cute hygienist. Now I'm not so sure.

A week ago, my lower right gums started to be sensitive. They hurt a little. Almost like they got scratched by sharp toast or something. Know what I mean?

It started to feel like it might be getting better, but I just noticed that it's not. In fact, if I put my finger in my mouth and press hard on that area, it hurts quite a bit. More than it has up to now.

I'm no dentist, but I suspect that there's an infection lurking somewhere under the nearby tooth. I'm dreading that something is going to show up on an x-ray, and that the dentist will tell me that I need a root canal.

I've had at least two root canals in the past. They weren't too bad, but they're so freakin' expensive and my insurance plan doesn't cover the entire cost.

Ugh.