Tooth Abscess Solutions
What is a tooth abscess?
A tooth abscess is usually formed by a tooth that is decaying. As it decays, a cavity is created which causes the tooth and the nerve, to become infected.
An infected tooth can lead to a collection of bacteria and pus inside the tissue and bone around the tooth. The infection quickly becomes extremely painful and unpleasant. It may cause symptoms such as a throbbing tooth or swollen cheek, which means it needs to be seen by a dental practitioner for treatment
Tooth abscess stages of pain can be excruciating to live with and if left untreated for a long period of time. It may even eventually lead to the loss of the tooth. A tooth abscess is one of the most common causes of tooth extraction so it is important to seek treatment immediately if you suffer from dental pain.
The first stage of treating an abscess is to visit your dental practitioner so they can correctly examine the tooth. The dentist will examine the tooth and the surrounding area by tapping on it to see if there is a high level of sensitivity when additional pressure is applied. A tooth infection x-ray may also be done to identify the dental abscess
How do I know if I have an abscess?
Signs to watch out for include pain around the tooth, gums and/or jaw, swollen or inflamed gums, a fever, and difficulty biting on a tooth or group of teeth.
There are several other tooth infection symptoms to keep an eye out for:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
- A high fever.
- A swollen cheek or any facial swelling.
- Tender or swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck.
- A sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth along with pain relief, if the abscess bursts.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
If your dentist notices any of these symptoms he may carry out an x-ray to assess the condition of the tooth and roots before deciding on the best treatment plan for you.
Tooth abscess treatment
The main aim of treatment is to get rid of the tooth infection. There are several ways to do this, including:
- Creating an incision and draining the abscess.
- Prescribing medication
- Performing a root canal or extraction
- Extracting the infected tooth.
- Prescribing antibiotics.
It is important to remember that if left untreated an abscess can result in tooth loss and serious health complications.
There are several lifestyle and home remedies you can incorporate into your daily routine while the tooth abscess area is healing. Our dentists may recommend the best pain relief for tooth abscesses. Here are some that can help to ease the discomfort:
- Rinsing out your mouth with warm, salty water.
- Taking over the counter pain relief medication such as ibuprofen as needed.
Do you need advice or treatment for an abscess? Contact Ravenscourt Dental Practice now on 020 8748 4023 or email: [email protected]
