A dental abscess is a painful infection that happens around a tooth. It usually starts when bacteria enter the tooth, often because of a cavity or a crack. The disease can cause swelling, pain, and even a fever. If it’s not treated, it can get worse and spread to other parts of your body. It’s important to spot the signs of a dental abscess early so you can get the right treatment and avoid bigger problems.
Dental Abscess Symptoms
A dental abscess is an infection that causes pus to form at the tip of the tooth’s root or in the gums. Some Symptoms of this are as follows;
Severe Tooth Pain
Swelling in the Gums or Face
Bad Taste or Foul Smell in the Mouth
Pimple-like Bump on the Gums
Fever
Sensitivity to Hot or Cold
Swollen Lymph Nodes
What causes dental abscess?
Tooth Decay: If cavities aren’t treated, bacteria can enter the tooth and cause an infection, leading to an abscess.
Gum Disease: When gums become infected due to plaque buildup, it can lead to pockets that allow bacteria to grow and cause an abscess.
Tooth Injury: A cracked or broken tooth can allow bacteria to enter and cause an infection, leading to an abscess.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly can lead to plaque buildup, which can result in tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can cause an abscess.
Dental Abscess Treatment
If you suffer from a dental abscess, it’s important to get an appointment with the emergency dentist as soon as possible. Below are the most common treatments that are used to treat and manage an abscess in the mouth:
Drainage of the Abscess: The dentist will likely need to drain the pus from the abscess. This will ease the pain and eliminate the infection. A small cut may be made in the abscess to allow the pus to drain out.
Antibiotics: If the infection has spread, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Antibiotics help kill the bacteria causing the infection and reduce swelling.
Root Canal Treatment: If the abscess is caused by an infection at the root of the tooth, the dentist may perform a root canal. This involves removing the infected tissue from the tooth, cleaning the area, and sealing it to prevent further infection.
Tooth Extraction: In cases of severe damage where the tooth cannot be saved, the dentist may need to remove the tooth, especially if the infection is extensive.
Pain Relief: The dentist may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribe stronger medications to help manage pain while the infection heals.
Follow-up Treatment: After the initial treatment, a follow-up visit may be needed to ensure the infection has cleared up and that the tooth and gums are healing properly.
What does dental Abscess look like?
FAQs
A dental abscess looks like a swollen, red area on your gum, sometimes with a pimple-like bump that may drain pus.
If it bursts, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and visit a dentist right away to make sure the infection is fully treated.
While home remedies can help manage pain, such as warm saltwater rinses, see a dentist for proper treatment.
A dental abscess won’t heal on its own; you need professional treatment to clear the infection.
A dental abscess should not go untreated. It can lead to severe pain, spreading infection, or more serious health issues.
Common signs include tooth pain, swelling, a bad taste in your mouth, and sometimes a pimple-like bump on your gums.
Antibiotics may be prescribed by your dentist to treat the infection if it’s severe or spreading.
CKS (Clinical Knowledge Summaries) provide trusted guidelines for managing conditions like dental abscesses. A dentist will follow these guidelines to treat the infection.
Draining a dental abscess should only be done by a dentist. They will make a small cut to let the pus drain safely.
Pericoronitis is an infection around a partially erupted wisdom tooth that can cause swelling, pain, and abscess formation. A dentist will help treat it.
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