What is the Treatment for a Dental Abscess
Dental abscess treatment is the collection of pus due to a bacterial infection. This pocket of pus can be found in different areas of the tooth such as in the tooth, in the bone, or the gums. An abscess tooth needs to be treated as early as possible, otherwise, it can cause complications. A dental abscess is caused by several reasons.
As you know, there are bacteria in your mouth that create a film over your teeth that is called plaque. If you don’t clean your teeth regularly, these bacteria produce acids that damage your teeth and gums, causing gum diseases or tooth decay.
You may also want to know the risk factors that can lead to tooth abscess as knowing the casual factors enable you to prevent dental abscess. Some causes of dental abscess are:
If you consume large amounts of starchy, sugary food or drinks, these allow bacteria to grow in plaque, leading to tooth decay and tooth abscess afterward. Similarly, not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, or poor oral hygiene causes plaque build-up, tooth decay, and finally an abscessed tooth. Another reason for abscess tooth is a weak immune system associated with health conditions such as diabetes.
People undergoing chemotherapy or taking steroid medications are also prone to getting tooth abscess. An abscess tooth is also caused by an injury to the tooth because it can cause bacteria to gain access to damaged areas of the teeth and gums.
Is The Only Treatment For A Periapical Abscess Tooth Removal?
A periapical abscess is when a pocket of pus is located at the tip of the tooth root. If you have done dental work before or had a tooth injury, the cavity that is left untreated leads to a periapical abscess. In periapical abscess, the bacteria have gained access to the pulp of the tooth which is the inner part of the tooth containing connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels.
The dental abscess can or can’t be painful, but you must contact your dentist as soon as possible because the abscess can also spread to other areas of the body especially if your immune system is weak.
Dental abscess treatment of tooth abscess depends on the severity and location of the abscess. Following are the treatment options of tooth abscess:
Draining abscess
The most important part of the treatment of an abscess tooth is draining the abscess to get rid of the infection. Depending on your condition, your dentist may be able to save your tooth by draining the pus and doing other necessary steps.
Root Canal
A root canal is done to drain the abscess and remove the pulp of the tooth that is infected. And according to the root canal procedure, the dentist will seal the area of the pulp to protect it from any infection or to prevent bacteria from entering. To further strengthen and protect your teeth, your dentist will put a crown or cap on it.
Antibiotics
To ease out the pain associated with an abscess tooth and if you have a weak immune system and the infection has spread to other areas, your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics.
Tooth extraction
You have found out that tooth extraction is not the prior option to treatment, but your dentist will extract the tooth if it is severely damaged and can’t be saved. After tooth extraction, the dentist will drain the abscess.
What Is The Treatment For A Gum Abscess?
A gum abscess is the pocket of pus in the gums or the space between the gums and the teeth. The dental abscess treatment also known as periodontal abscess includes draining the pus and removing the debris in the pocket. Moreover, depending upon your condition, your dentist may recommend root planing and scaling to remove plaque and tartar.
Tooth extraction is done of there is a lot of bone loss. However, your dentist may suggest a procedure for the regeneration of gum tissue or lost bone. Moreover, if the abscess has affected the pulp of the tooth, a root canal will be done.
Apart from the above-mentioned procedures, a course of antibiotics is advised to reduce swelling. This also prevents the infection from spreading and also the reoccurrence of gum abscesses. Pain medications are also prescribed if you experience pain.
You must contact your dentist as soon as possible because you can’t treat gum abscess at home however, in the meantime, to reduce inflammation, you can take medications such as ibuprofen.
Will A Dental Abscess Return?
The dental abscess can return if the infection is not eliminated. Your dentist tries to clean out the infection to preserve the tooth, however, if your pain is reduced due to the rupture of abscess naturally, you must visit your dentist, so that your dentist stops the infection from spreading and returning. The reason is that if the infection returns, it will damage the tooth resulting in tooth extraction, and it can also spread to other areas of the body.
What Are Some Early Signs And Symptoms Of A Tooth Abscess?
Following are the early signs of abscess tooth:
- Sensitivity to cold and hot
- Fever
- Sensitivity to pressure related to biting or chewing
- Severe, throbbing and persistent pain in the affected tooth
- Toothache radiating to ear, neck or jawbone
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Swelling in the neck or face
- Taste of salty, foul-smelling and tasting fluid in your mouth
- Reduced pain after the rupture of the abscess
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck and under the jaw
If you experience any of these signs of an abscess tooth, visit your dentist immediately. And if you have swelling and fever and it is not possible for you to visit the dentist promptly, go to a dental emergency room. Moreover, don’t wait any longer if you experience difficulty swallowing and breathing, this indicates that the infection has spread to the surrounding tissue, into the jaw or other areas of the body.
Conclusion
An abscess tooth is not that you can wait. You must contact your dentist immediately if you have any signs of tooth abscess. One of the best dental clinics in Houston, TX is the URBN Dental clinic. You can visit the website for more details https://dentisthoustontx.com/. Book an appointment by calling at (346)251-8322.
Summary:
A dental abscess is the accumulation of pus in the tooth, gums, or the bone. It is caused by bacterial infection due to a variety of reasons such as poor oral health, intake of sugary starchy food, weak immune system, or certain medications such as steroid medications or chemotherapy, etc.
If the pocket of pus is located at the tip of the root, it is known as a periapical abscess. When a periapical abscess is identified, the dentist drains the abscess to clean the area. Depending on your condition, other treatment options include antibiotics, root canal, or tooth extraction. The dentist will try to save the tooth but if it is severely damaged; tooth extraction is the only option.
The periodontal abscess is when the pocket of pus is located in the gums or the space between the teeth and the gums. Its treatment options include draining the abscess, tooth extraction, restoration of gum tissue or lost bone, antibiotics, and other medications.
If you experience any signs of dental abscess such as pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, immediately contact URBN Dental clinic, Houston, TX. Visit the website for more details https://dentisthoustontx.com/. Call at (346)251-8322 to book an appointment.