Dentist Castle Rock What to Do When You Have a Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is an infection of the mouth, face, jaw, or throat that begins as a tooth infection or cavity. Although these infections can be caused by poor dental health and can result from lack of proper and timely dental care, they may also occur in people with underlying medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders or conditions that weaken the immune system. Dental abscesses can also be triggered by minor trauma in the oral cavity. Bacteria from dental caries can extend into the gums, the cheek, the throat, beneath the tongue, or even into the jaw or facial bones. A dental abscess can become very painful when tissues become inflamed or due to the pressure within the abscess. The condition will become progressively more painful until the abscess either ruptures and drains on its own or is drained surgically. The patient will feel pain when the dentist taps the tooth. Biting or closing the mouth tightly also increases the pain. The gums may be swollen and red and may drain thick material explain Dentist Castle Rock. A gum or gingival abscess is the result of infection or trauma to the surface of the gum tissue. Periodontal abscesses are the result of an infection that has moved deeper into gum areas, and a periapical abscess refers to a tooth with an infection of the pulp. Pus collects at the site of the infection.

Sources

A tooth abscess is a complication of tooth decay. It may also result from trauma to the tooth, such as when a tooth is broken or chipped. Openings in the tooth enamel allow bacteria to infect the center of the tooth (the pulp). The cause of these infections is direct growth of the bacteria from an existing tooth cavity into the soft tissues and bones of the face and neck. Infection may spread out from the root of the tooth and to the bones supporting the tooth. Hot and cold tests may be performed by touching the teeth with ice or heated instruments. This helps to pinpoint the exact location of the pain and to determine the type of abscess. Percussion tests may also be done by tapping the teeth in question lightly with the small end of an explorer says Dentist Castle Rock. Infection results in a collection of pus (dead tissue, live and dead bacteria, white blood cells) and swelling of the tissues within the tooth. This causes a painful toothache. If the pulp of the tooth dies, the toothache may stop, unless an abscess develops. This is especially true if the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue. When a patient has swelling and pain it is necessary to locate the exact region causing the pain. X rays greatly aid in locating the tooth or teeth in question.

Dentist Castle Rock What to Do When You Have a Dental Abscess

Difficulties

Rarely, the infection can progress to the point at which swelling threatens to block the airway, causing difficulty breathing. Prompt treatment usually cures the infection. If you have intolerable pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, any of the symptoms of a dental abscess, or you cannot reach your doctor or dentist during off hours; go to a hospital’s emergency department for evaluation and treatment says Dentist Castle Rock. Dental abscesses can also make you generally ill, with nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, and sweats. Untreated abscesses may get worse and can lead to life-threatening complications. By seeking treatment before your symptoms progress to this stage, you can avoid emergency department visits. So how dangerous is a dental abscess? It all depends on how soon the patient has a dentist visit. If a person waits until the gum is so swollen that they have difficulty breathing or opening their mouth, the situation is very serious. It is not the “poison” of infection that makes the abscess deadly, but its growth that can choke off our ability to breathe. That is the type of dental abscess that can kill if left untreated.

Actions

If you think you have an abscess, call your dentist. If you cannot reach a dentist, go to your physician or a hospital’s emergency department for evaluation, especially if you feel sick. If an infection becomes so painful that it cannot be managed by nonprescription medicines, see your doctor or dentist immediately. Drainage might be required. The goals of treatment are to cure the infection, save the tooth, and prevent complications states Dentist Castle Rock. Antibiotics may be given to fight the infection. Warm salt-water rinses may be soothing. Over-the-counter pain relievers may relieve the toothache and fever. Do NOT place aspirin directly over the tooth or gums, because this increases irritation of the tissues and can result in mouth ulcers. The entire treatment may take a number of visits to complete depending on the severity of the abscess. A root canal may be recommended in an attempt to save the tooth. If there is a severe infection, the tooth may be removed or surgery may be needed to drain the abscess. Some people may need to be admitted to the hospital. Prompt treatment of dental caries reduces the risk of tooth abscess. A dentoalveolar abscess is an acute lesion characterized by localization of pus in the structures that surround the teeth. Most patients are treated easily with analgesia, antibiotics, drainage, and/or referral to a dentist or oral-maxillofacial surgeon. However, the physician should be aware of potential complications of simple dentoalveolar abscess. Traumatized teeth should be examined promptly by the dentist. A doctor or dentist can determine by a physical exam if you have a drainable abscess. X-rays of the teeth may be necessary to show small abscesses that are at the deepest part of the tooth. The tooth can usually be saved in many cases.

Dentist Castle Rock What to Do When You Have a Dental Abscess