Many of us take our oral health very seriously, but even so, dental emergencies can arise at any time. And dental abscesses are no exception. Here, we’ll address symptoms of an abscessed tooth, what a tooth abscess is, and how immediate treatment (like a root canal or tooth extraction) could save your dental health.
At Rio Rancho Smiles, our dental team believes that patients with an abscess who seek treatment immediately have a better chance of saving their teeth and gums. So, if you think that you have a dental abscess, then contact our office as soon as possible at 505-994-9693 or online.
Simply put, a dental abscess is a tooth infection that results in a pus-filled pocket–or gingival abscess–around the affected tooth. While a dental infection is never pleasant, abscessed teeth are incredibly painful and won’t go away without antibiotic therapy.
Yes, there are two common kinds of abscesses:
Our teeth have a very hard outer surface, but the inside of our teeth contain delicate blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves. When the inside of our teeth–known as pulp–is exposed, then the tooth’s root is vulnerable to bacterial infection. Exposed roots of teeth may result for many reasons, such as:
There are many symptoms of an abscessed tooth. However, while patients will experience varying degrees of dental abscess symptoms, here are several common signs and symptoms of a tooth infection:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then go to an emergency room or see your dentist immediately. If left untreated, tooth infections can spread to the blood and result in life-threatening sepsis.
An abscess is a serious infection, so if it bursts, then do not swallow the contents that drain from the pocket (it’s pus!). Instead, use warm salt water rinses as an antiseptic and for pain relief.
Next, schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible. Letting a dentist determine the nature of the infection will help get rid of the infection quickly before it spreads to the surrounding tissue.
An abscessed tooth diagnosed is well on the way to an abscessed tooth treated. But, unfortunately, restoring an infected tooth requires drastic treatment, such as:
A tooth infection will not go away on its own. If the infection has spread, then it will result in a more complicated issue, such as a periodontal abscess. This will negatively impact your gum tissue, bone tissue, and other teeth. So, dental treatment is unavoidable (and necessary!).
Nobody wants to get a painful root canal. That’s why the American Dental Association recommends visiting a dental office at least twice yearly for regular dental checkups and cleanings. However, here are some other ways to limit your risk of a tooth infection:
Ultimately, practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to avoid harmful infections, painful root canal treatment, and unwanted tooth removal.
Regular checkups and cleanings are your first defense against oral disease and dysfunction. That’s why our attentive team at Rio Rancho Smiles wants to see you at least every 6 months. If you’re due for a checkup and cleaning, then schedule your appointment today by calling 505-994-9693 or booking online.
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