Abscessed Tooth And Its Treatment

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Abscessed Tooth and Its TreatmentIs your mouth or jaw hurting while chewing? Have you noticed a pulp pocket or swollen gums? You may have a tooth abscess. These are just a few signs of having a dental abscess, but it mainly caused by a bacterial infection. If you have any of the above signs, visit your dentist to get the earlier treatment for the dental problem. Go through this article to know more about tooth abscess and its treatment.

Whats a tooth abscess?

A tooth abscess is a serious bacterial infection in the pulp of a tooth. From outside, our tooth is covered by the hard layer called enamel, but from inside it is filled with connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Sometimes the root of the teeth gets infected and forms an abscess.

The tooth abscess forms when the existed bacteria in plaque, a by-product of food, and saliva sticks to the teeth and damages the gums. When the dental plaque is not removed by regular flossing or brushing your teeth, it may gradually form a tooth abscess.

In general, there are two types of tooth abscess.

  1. Gum abscess or periodontal abscess which is caused by a bacterial infection in the space between the tooth and gum. The infection may occur after food gets stuck between the gum and tooth.
  2. Tooth-related abscess or periapical abscess which occurs inside the tooth. This abscess forms when the tooth’s nerve is dead or dying. It shows up at the tip of the tooth’s root then it spreads to the surrounding bone.

Symptoms of an abscess in your mouth

When a tooth abscess is present in the mouth, it gives specific signs and symptoms.

Here is the list of symptoms of an abscess in your mouth.

  • Redness on gum
  • Swelling on face and cheek
  • Pain in the affected area
  • Pain while chewing
  • Open sores on the gums
  • Pus around the edge of the infected tooth
  • Foul breath
  • Fever
  • Presence of a little bump (either inside or outside the gum)

If you have noticed any of the above symptoms, there are chances of the presence of an abscess in your mouth. The above-mentioned symptoms may indicate that the infection is spread into the surrounding tissues, and jaw. So, book an appointment with a dentist before the symptoms get worse and get the treatment for an abscessed tooth.

What causes an abscessed tooth?

There are many factors that cause an abscessed tooth. As, the inner tooth is filled with nerves, tissues, and blood vessels, it is vulnerable to infection.  

Poor dental hygiene – it is one of the major causes of most dental problems. Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of tooth decay, infection, and tooth abscess.

High sugar diet – another reason for tooth abscess is eating and drinking the food rich in sugar. Sugary diet contributes to tooth decay and forms a tooth abscess.

Dry mouth – it increases the chances of tooth decay which may cause the abscess.

Other factors that cause an abscessed tooth:

  • Gum diseases
  • Cracked tooth
  • Teeth Injury
  • Tooth cavity or decay, etc.

What happens if you have an abscessed tooth?

You will start noticing the above symptoms if you have an abscessed tooth. You should have a dentist visit as soon as you notice the signs.

An abscessed tooth is a serious dental problem. When it doesn’t get appropriate treatment, it may create other health problems. Or the infection may spread towards other parts of the body including neck and head.

Best way to get rid of a tooth abscess

In order to prevent tooth abscess, you should maintain good oral hygiene. Keep your teeth away from the cavity, and you won’t have an abscess.

Here are the best ways to get rid of a tooth abscess:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride
  • Use fluoridated drinking water
  • Do not delay to visit the dentist for any types of dental problem
  • Limit sugary food & drinks, and form a habit of healthy eating
  • Visit your dentist for a regular checkup
  • Use an antiseptic mouth rinse
  • Cutdown frequent snacking between meals

Treatment for an abscessed tooth

Abscessed tooth’s treatment starts with clearing up the infection and relieving pain. Depending upon your symptoms, your dentist might start the treatment by taking a dental X-ray. This examination will help the doctor to check whether the infection has spread to other areas.

Based on the type and severity, the treatment for an abscessed tooth include:

Abscess Drain – An incision (a small cut) is placed on the abscess to drain the pus. It will be followed up cleaning the surrounding area with saline. The removal of abscess pus promotes healing.

Oral Medication – When a person has a weakened immune system or the infection is spread beyond the abscess area, the doctor prescribes antibiotics to treat the infection. If you are seeking any content related changes, please let me know.

Root Canal – Sometimes, the root canal procedure is performed to remove the abscess or any other infected pulp.

Tooth Exertion – In some cases, when your tooth is severely damaged, your dentist may remove it, before draining the abscess.

Foreign object removal – When a tooth abscess is caused due to a foreign object in your gums, your dentist will perform the procedure to remove it.

Dental abscess healing time

Usually, it takes around 10-15 days to heal a tooth abscess. However, dental abscess healing time depends on the severity of the abscess and the treatment you received for the same.

No matter how your dental abscess has been treated, you should protect your mouth. To promote healing, brush your teeth twice each day, gargle after each meal, use fluoride mouthwash, and floss your teeth regularly.

Hence, do not ignore the symptoms of a dental abscess. It is recommended to get proper dental treatment for an abscessed tooth. Even if it seems to drain by its own, you should have an appointment with a dentist to make sure the infection is not spread to another area.

Do you need treatment for a tooth abscess or any other dental problem? fix your appointment at TruCare Dentistry, Roswell, GA. Our expert dentistry team is efficient enough to give you the best dental treatment.