What Is an Abscessed Tooth?
An abscess happens when a large cavity is left untreated and progresses into the tooth’s nerve. The tooth nerve is dead and cannot defend itself, and the bacteria spreads down the root canal into the surrounding bone. This process is often not painful until it is too late, so it is very important to get a dental checkup every six months.
There is no home remedy for treating abscesses, which can be very dangerous if left untreated. Most of the time, the abscess is so painful that patients search for an “emergency dentist near me” right away. Sometimes, no pain is associated with abscesses, but they are not self-resolving. They do not go away on their own, and it is necessary to go to your nearest emergency dental care center as soon as possible.
Untreated Abscessed Tooth
If an abscessed tooth is left untreated, it will damage surrounding structures, such as bone and teeth in the infected area. The buildup of pressure causes an abscess to hurt, so you will need a dentist to drain your abscess to reduce the pressure.
Dental Abscess Emergency
When gum tissue or teeth are weak due to gingivitis/periodontal disease or a large cavity, bacteria can cause an infection. The most apparent sign of an abscess is a painful swelling and the presence of pus (thick yellow fluid). If the pus has no place to drain, the area will get more swollen and painful. Your body tries to protect itself by isolating the bacteria and forming a barrier around it.
Abscesses can form very quickly; most often, they form 1-2 days after the infection starts. If you have an abscess, you need to be seen immediately to be treated.
Gum Abscess
A gum-related abscess due to periodontal disease is an infection in the gum tissue due to food getting trapped or if there have been many bacteria (tartar, periodontal calculus) that have accumulated underneath your gum tissue. If you have periodontal disease and have not done scaling and root planning (also known as deep cleaning), the bacteria can accumulate underneath your gum tissue and cause an infection.
Most common reasons:
-Infection in the gum tissue
-Infection inside a tooth with a large cavity
Common symptoms:
-Pain
-Swollen face
-Inflamed gum tissue
-Pus and a “pimple” in the area of infection
What to do until you can get to your dentist’s office:
-Rinse with warm salt water in the area of the abscess
-Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol
Your visit will include:
-X-rays will be taken of the affected tooth
-Diagnostic tests will be provided to find out the origin of the infection (gum versus tooth)
Dental Abscess Treatments
Treatment will depend on where the source of infection is.
Gum Abscess Treatment
To clear up a gum tissue infection, an incision to drain the area will be made, followed by scaling and root planning and finally, a rinse with chlorhexidine (an antibiotic rinse).
Tooth Infection Treatment
Treatment for tooth infections can include root canal therapy, core buildup, and a dental crown; sometimes, an incision and drainage are necessary.
Tooth Extraction
If the tooth cannot be saved, then it will be extracted.
Antibiotics and painkillers are typically given after the appointment to prevent the bacteria from spreading and causing a serious tooth infection.
