Here’s What You Must Know If You Have an Abscessed Tooth
When a tooth develops an infection within it or around it, the infected tooth is called an abscessed tooth. Not only is an abscessed tooth painful, but the biggest problem with this condition is also that the infection in the affected tooth can easily spread to surrounding areas. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to tooth loss and other health-related problems.
Untreated cavities are one of the most common reasons behind abscessed teeth. When a cavity is left untreated for far too long, the inside of the tooth, often also referred to as the pulp, becomes infected. The infection then spreads to the other areas, in turn, causing the tooth to become abscessed.
An abscessed tooth may sometimes also be a result of the gum disease. Gum disease causes the teeth to pull away from each other, which in turn, leads to the formation of space between teeth. Sometimes, food gets deposited in these spaces, in turn promoting the growth of bacteria in the pockets. This bacteria causes infection, which in turn, causes a tooth to become abscessed. In the worst-case scenario, this abscess can cause the bone around the tooth to dissolve.
What Are Some of the Symptoms?
Some of the common symptoms of an abscessed tooth include red and swollen gums, swelling in jaws and on the face and a weird, salty taste in the mouth. Sometimes, an abscessed tooth can even lead to a fever and blood and pus formation in the mouth. The abscessed tooth itself hurts badly when you touch it and becomes overtly tender due to the infection. In some cases, the bone around the infected tooth can become dissolved. When that happens, the pain becomes diminished. However, the infection continues to exist. Once the bone dissolves, it becomes extremely important to take take care of the infection immediately. If left alone, the condition may compel one to get rid of the tooth.
In conclusion, if you are experiencing a severe toothache, pus formation in the mouth or swollen gums, you must immediately see your dentist. If it is an abscessed tooth you are dealing with, you must get it treated immediately.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In most cases, dentists can tell by looking at your mouth and the affected area if the tooth is abscessed or not. They may check for swelling and sensitivity. In case they are unsure, they will ask you to go for an x-ray.
If you are indeed dealing with an abscessed tooth, your dentist will ask you to undergo treatment immediately. They will start by giving you antibiotics. These antibiotics will help to get rid of the bacteria that caused the infection and are now causing the infection to become severe. They may also make a hole in the infected tooth, primarily to drain out all the pus that has informed inside and relieve the pain. Lastly, they will perform root canal treatment and remove the infected pulp. In case you do not want to get a root canal done, your only option would be getting the tooth removed.
Whether you are going for root canal treatment or tooth removal, you will be asked to keep an ice pack over the treated area for some time after the treatment is over. You may also be given over-the-counter medicine to manage the pain.
Here’s How You Can Prevent an Abscessed Tooth
Here are a few things you can do to prevent an abscessed tooth. To start with, brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. That apart, do not forget to floss between meals. Further, eat healthily and stay away from foods considered bad for oral hygiene. Lastly, visit your dentist at least twice every year.
For more information regarding dental health, please give Dr. Apsey of Smile Brightly Dental a call today! We are located in Warren, MI and we can be reached at 586-573-7700!