Even if the abscess diffuses, ruptures or drains and the pain stops, you still need professional dental treatment. That’s because if left untreated an abscess can spread to other parts of the body and potentially be life-threatening. Show
Here’s a look at the top four ways that your dentist will treat a tooth abscess:
The Importance of Seeking Care ImmediatelyIf you put off getting care from the dentist for an abscessed tooth, you may require more serious interventions: SurgeryIf an abscess has spread to the floor of the mouth or the neck it may need to be drained in the operating room under anesthesia. Additionally, if an abscess still doesn’t heal, or it enlarges after you receive conventional root canal treatment, surgery will most likely be required. HospitalizationSerious tooth and jaw infections, secondary infections of the body and their associated complications may be life-threatening and require emergency room or extended hospital care. Ways to Stay ComfortableThe following won’t treat your abscess but they can help address your pain or discomfort while you heal. Warm saltwater rinses: If an abscess erupts by itself, you can use a warm saltwater rinse to help soothe and clean your mouth and encourage drainage until you can see your dentist. Your dentist also may recommend rinses during the treatment recovery time to reduce discomfort and promote healing. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication: Painkillers such as ibuprofen help relieve discomfort while the area heals. However, it’s important to remember that while these medications will address pain, they won’t treat the abscess. You still need to see your dentist for prompt follow-up care. If you believe you have an abscessed tooth, contact Midland Park Family Dentistry today. We want to help you heal and get out of pain. A tooth abscess is a painful and serious dental emergency. An abscess is a pus producing bacterial infection that causes pain and swelling, which needs immediate attention. The infection occurs in or around the root of a tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. The abscess can also occur between the gum and tooth. Tooth abscess is most commonly caused by advanced tooth decay or damage, which may originate from a chipped or broken tooth that becomes infected, worn enamel that allows bacteria to enter the tooth, or an untreated dental cavity. Long-term, untreated periodontal (gum) disease can also cause an abscess, especially in the advanced form of this oral health condition called periodontitis. In very serious cases, the infection from the tooth abscess spreads out from the root of the tooth to the bones in the jaw supporting the teeth, which can lead to tooth loss or allow the infection to spread throughout the body. Signs & Symptoms of Tooth AbscessYou should seek treatment for a tooth abscess as soon as possible to avoid the spread of this infection. Some of the warning signs that indicate you’re dealing with tooth abscess include the following:
Treatment Options for a Tooth AbscessTreatment for tooth abscess will be customized to address your specific needs, but in most cases, we will use some combination of the following treatments: Drain the abscessThe most effective way to treat an abscessed or infected tooth is to drain off the infection. A small incision into the abscess will help the pus drain out. The dentist may also debride and irrigate or wash the area of infection with saline. Debridement is removal of dead or necrotic tissue that will never heal. Antibiotic therapyIt is not always easy or even possible to drain the abscess. A serious dental infection can “neutralize” the effects of local anesthetics making it very difficult to numb the patient for treatment. Infected lower molars are especially difficult to numb in the presence of a serious infection. In these cases, a patient needs to be placed on an appropriate antibiotic to reduce the infection, so the local anesthetics can be effective for comfortable treatment. Root canalA root canal is a dental procedure to remove the nerve, arteries and vein in the center of the tooth root. In an infected tooth, a root canal can help remove infection and drain the abscess. When the infection heals, the tooth is restored with a crown to increase the strength and preserve the tooth. Tooth extractionIf the infected tooth can’t be saved, it will be extracted to drain the abscess and promote healing of the infection. HospitalizationIf there is increased swelling or fever despite antibiotic administration and other treatments, the dental patient may need to be seen in a hospital setting. We’ll need to partner with a local oral surgeon who has hospital privileges in these cases, but we will be your advocate every step of the way to ensure you don’t get “lost” in the hospital emergency room, dealing with physicians who may not have the expertise to handle the situation. Is a Tooth Abscess Considered a Dental Emergency?Tooth abscess is absolutely a dental emergency. If you have a tooth abscess, you need to seek treatment immediately. Left untreated, abscess can lead to infection that spreads through the body causing serious and even life-threatening effects. The sooner these issues are treated the better! When Should I Visit the Dentist for Tooth Abscess?If you notice any of the symptoms of tooth abscess listed above, you should come in to see us as soon as possible, and we will make every effort to set aside a same day appointment for you. Because of the dangers associated with tooth abscess, one of our dentists may even recommend coming into the office outside of regular hours. Don’t wait for the pain or infection to spread. Get help right away. Meet McCarl Dental GroupThe dentists at McCarl Dental Group take care of patients with dental emergencies every day at our Greenbelt, Maryland dental office. We provide same day emergency dental care to patients with pain from dental infections. Many patients who need emergency dentistry treatment are new to our dental office, and we are happy to help! If you’re in need of emergency dentistry services, call our dental office in Greenbelt, MD right way. Will a tooth abscess go away with antibiotics?If the infection is limited to the abscessed area, you may not need antibiotics. But if the infection has spread to nearby teeth, your jaw or other areas, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading further. Your dentist may also recommend antibiotics if you have a weakened immune system.
Will a dentist pull a tooth with abscess?A common belief associated with infected or abscessed teeth is that they cannot be extracted until the infection has subdued. This is not true in a large number of cases where the best option to get rid of the infection is to remove the tooth.
How long does it take a dentist to treat an abscess?Dental Treatment
You may receive a prescription for oral antibiotics, which you take for one to two weeks. Acute oral infections take between three and seven days to resolve, but you may take antibiotics for longer.
How painful is a tooth abscess?Severe pain – such as an unrelenting, throbbing toothache. Sensitivity to extreme temperature changes. Pressure sensitivity – such as pain when chewing or biting. Swollen cheek near the infected tooth – or swollen lymph nodes in the area.
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