If you think you have a dental abscess, you should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. An abscess is a dental infection that causes pus to collect in or around a tooth. Periodontal abscesses originate from the structures around the tooth, such as the jawbone or gums. Endodontic infections originate from inside the tooth itself when a crack or severe cavity allows bacteria inside. Immediate treatment can not only relieve pain but prevent dangerous complications arising from the infection. An untreated infection can spread to other areas of the body, where it can cause serious damage. If it spreads to the bloodstream, a life-threatening condition called septicemia could develop.
One of the most characteristic symptoms of an abscess is a visible pocket of swelling around the tooth. This resembles a small pimple and contains pus. Not all infections cause a visible abscess. The collection of pus puts pressure on the nerves of your tooth and can cause pain. This may radiate to your ear, face, jaw, or neck, or increase with biting or chewing. If the abscess ruptures, your pain may resolve immediately but your mouth fills with a fluid that tastes and smells foul. The underlying infection is still there, so the abscess may build up again. An abscess can cause sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and make it difficult to swallow, breathe, or even open or close the mouth. An infection of a tooth can also cause systemic symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes and fever.
Based on these physical signs, an emergency dentist may be able to diagnose an abscess with a physical examination alone. However, if the infection is inside the tooth, it may require dental X-rays to diagnose.
There are several possible treatments available for an infected tooth. Based on the specifics of your condition, you may receive more than one treatment.
An abscess results from a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are medications that kill bacteria. A course of antibiotics may resolve the infection on its own. It is important to note that for antibiotics to work, the patient must follow the instructions for dosage and timing as carefully as possible. Missing a dose or not finishing the treatment because symptoms seem to be improving could result in the survival of the harmful bacteria. Symptoms would eventually reappear over time because the underlying cause was never eradicated.
If the abscess is visible, the dentist may make a small incision in the gum tissue to allow the pus to drain from the wound after first using a local agent to numb the area. This should relieve pain, and then the dentist can wash out the wound with saline to flush out any remaining bacteria. The infection may have permanently destroyed some oral tissues, and the dentist may perform a procedure called debridement to remove it.
If the infection is inside the tooth, a root canal may be performed to drain the abscess and remove the infected tissues, including the arteries, veins, and nerves. This is a method of preserving the tooth. While root canals have a reputation for being very painful, modern dentistry allows for a variety of methods to help patients feel as comfortable as possible. Many people report that the level of discomfort is no worse than having a cavity filled. Once the infected tissues are removed, the tooth is sealed and given a crown if necessary. Recovery is minimal and many people feel back to normal within a day or two.
The tooth is only extracted if all other treatment options fail. Because it is very important to replace a lost, missing, or extracted tooth as soon as possible, your dentist will discuss your options for tooth replacement. These may include:
The treatment plan you and your dentist select will be based on the amount of dental work you are comfortable with, your aesthetic preferences, and the overall health and strength of the surrounding teeth. No matter which course of action you choose, replacing an extracted tooth helps prevent other complications from developing in the future.
See an emergency dentist if you think you may have an infected tooth with an abscess. This can prevent serious complications as well as relieve pain.
Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesinpa.com or call Jenny Chen Pediatric and Family Dentistry at (610) 400-1588 for an appointment in our West Grove office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in West Grove, PA.
Wondering when a tooth infection is considered a dental emergency? Read on to find out. This review discusses the situations in which an infected tooth is considered a dental emergency and requires immediate treatment from a dentist.An infected tooth that is not properly treated in a timely manner can lead to some severe issues, including…
If you are not sure whether emergency dentistry is the right approach to treating your oral health, consider the severity of your condition. If you are experiencing extreme pain in your teeth or gums, an emergency dentist can help. A toothache or other related discomfort could be a sign of an infection. This is not…
It is good to know an emergency dentist can help with the most critical oral health needs. With proper care and attention, you may not ever have to see this dentist for urgent problems. By practicing sound dental health habits, you can avoid many troubling issues. The results can instead be strong, healthy teeth and…
What if out of the blue, you start experiencing toothache, say in the middle of the night, and your dentist is miles away, what do you do to relieve the ache? To get momentary relief, some of these remedies are worth trying.If a toothache comes with inflammation, you can place a cold compress against your…
A root canal treatment is capable of retaining the natural tooth structure and replacing the damaged pulp with a dental filling. This procedure has a reputation of being painful. Even so, many people still have it. If you want to know how common a root canal treatment is, here are the details.Studies show that dentists…
The introduction of dental implants has provided a solution to tooth replacement that goes beyond mere function to address the core of personal well-being. Loss of teeth has an impact on a lot more than just dental health — it impacts chewing, talking ability, and confidence. This is where dental implants come into play as…