If you think you have a dental abscess, you should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. An abscess is a dental infection that causes pus to collect in or around a tooth. Periodontal abscesses originate from the structures around the tooth, such as the jawbone or gums. Endodontic infections originate from inside the tooth itself when a crack or severe cavity allows bacteria inside. Immediate treatment can not only relieve pain but prevent dangerous complications arising from the infection. An untreated infection can spread to other areas of the body, where it can cause serious damage. If it spreads to the bloodstream, a life-threatening condition called septicemia could develop.
One of the most characteristic symptoms of an abscess is a visible pocket of swelling around the tooth. This resembles a small pimple and contains pus. Not all infections cause a visible abscess. The collection of pus puts pressure on the nerves of your tooth and can cause pain. This may radiate to your ear, face, jaw, or neck, or increase with biting or chewing. If the abscess ruptures, your pain may resolve immediately but your mouth fills with a fluid that tastes and smells foul. The underlying infection is still there, so the abscess may build up again. An abscess can cause sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and make it difficult to swallow, breathe, or even open or close the mouth. An infection of a tooth can also cause systemic symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes and fever.
Based on these physical signs, an emergency dentist may be able to diagnose an abscess with a physical examination alone. However, if the infection is inside the tooth, it may require dental X-rays to diagnose.
There are several possible treatments available for an infected tooth. Based on the specifics of your condition, you may receive more than one treatment.
An abscess results from a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are medications that kill bacteria. A course of antibiotics may resolve the infection on its own. It is important to note that for antibiotics to work, the patient must follow the instructions for dosage and timing as carefully as possible. Missing a dose or not finishing the treatment because symptoms seem to be improving could result in the survival of the harmful bacteria. Symptoms would eventually reappear over time because the underlying cause was never eradicated.
If the abscess is visible, the dentist may make a small incision in the gum tissue to allow the pus to drain from the wound after first using a local agent to numb the area. This should relieve pain, and then the dentist can wash out the wound with saline to flush out any remaining bacteria. The infection may have permanently destroyed some oral tissues, and the dentist may perform a procedure called debridement to remove it.
If the infection is inside the tooth, a root canal may be performed to drain the abscess and remove the infected tissues, including the arteries, veins, and nerves. This is a method of preserving the tooth. While root canals have a reputation for being very painful, modern dentistry allows for a variety of methods to help patients feel as comfortable as possible. Many people report that the level of discomfort is no worse than having a cavity filled. Once the infected tissues are removed, the tooth is sealed and given a crown if necessary. Recovery is minimal and many people feel back to normal within a day or two.
The tooth is only extracted if all other treatment options fail. Because it is very important to replace a lost, missing, or extracted tooth as soon as possible, your dentist will discuss your options for tooth replacement. These may include:
The treatment plan you and your dentist select will be based on the amount of dental work you are comfortable with, your aesthetic preferences, and the overall health and strength of the surrounding teeth. No matter which course of action you choose, replacing an extracted tooth helps prevent other complications from developing in the future.
See an emergency dentist if you think you may have an infected tooth with an abscess. This can prevent serious complications as well as relieve pain.
Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in Mountain View, CA.
Though they can be extremely painful, not every unexpected dental issue necessitates a visit to an emergency dentist. Whether you wake up in the middle of the night with tooth pain, or if you were in a sports accident that damaged a tooth, you may be wondering if you need immediate attention. Knowing when to…
If your gums are bleeding, you need to visit the emergency dentist for a dental examination. The dentist will check your oral cavity to learn if the bleeding is a result of minor irritation or a serious health issue. Most importantly, getting urgent care for gum bleeding can help prevent the situation from worsening. This…
Every broken tooth does not require emergency dental treatment. For instance, most people can wait for the next scheduled appointment for conditions such as toothaches or tooth sensitivity. In the meantime, over-the-counter medication can provide relief until a dental provider is available. Sometimes it is not clear what constitutes a trip to an emergency dental…
Although teeth are incredibly strong and durable, sometimes even the most cautious person can wind up with a chipped tooth. The person may have chipped it and immediately known it had occurred, or they felt a rough and jagged spot on their tooth. Either way, a chipped tooth is no problem for your dentist in…
A TMJ Dentist is a dentist who is trained in general dentistry but continues their education with a focus on the temporomandibular joint and its disorders. They spend their days treating general dental conditions, however, much of their efforts are spent diagnosing, managing, and treating TMJ disorders.TMJ dentists are great resources to utilize when suffering…
Choosing the same family dentist for every member in a household has numerous benefits. These practitioners are trained in providing dental care to most age groups and understand the varying oral and dental health needs at all life stages. This differs from general dentistry, in which practitioners generally focus on a particular age group.There are…