Dental Abscess Treatment
in Riverton

What is a Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess occurs when the inside of a tooth suffers from a bacterial infection. Such infections can be caused by tooth decay, gum diseases, severe cavities and deep cracks in the tooth. When the infection is not treated, it can cause a pocket of pus to form within the tooth, creating an abscess. Where exactly the abscess occurs in the tooth is determined by the type of abscess.

A periodontal abscess will form in the gums or bone near the root of the tooth, while a periapical abscess will form around the root itself. If an infection has progressed to the point of an abscess, dental abscess treatment becomes the only option to save the tooth. If treatment is ignored, the infection could worsen and spread throughout the body.

Here are some warning signs of a tooth abscess:

• Severe pain in the tooth and jaw, often also extending down to the neck or up to the ear
• Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth
• Soreness when chewing or biting
• Fever
• Swelling in the lymph nodes, gums, face or cheeks
• Discoloration of the affected tooth
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Sensitivity to cold or hot food and drink
• If the abscess ruptures you may experience a sudden relief in tooth pain accompanied by a gushing liquid in the mouth that tastes and smells foul

What is a Dental Abscess?

The root cause of a dental abscess is due to infection that has gone untreated for too long. Infections can be caused by several types of dental injuries, including:

Anyone can experience an injury and/or infection serious enough to inspire a dental abscess if the circumstances are right, though some factors can put you more at risk, such as:

• Poor dental hygiene drastically increases your chance of developing tooth decay and gum disease, which can eventually lead to an infection requiring dental abscess treatment. Brush your teeth twice per day and floss at least once per day to keep your teeth healthy.
• High sugar diets can be extremely harmful to your dental health, causing cavities and tooth decay that could progress into a dental abscess if not looked after.
• A chronic dry mouth is inconvenient, but it can also lead to the development of tooth decay and dental abscesses. This condition is most often caused by aging, medication side effects, or simply not drinking enough water on a daily basis.
• Smoking can lead to a higher amount of tooth infections and other dental issues.

Ignoring signs of infection puts you at high risk to develop a dental abscess. If you suspect an infection due to any type of dental damage, schedule a thorough dental examination immediately.

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How to Prevent a Dental Abscess

The best way to prevent a dental abscess is to prevent any sort of tooth decay or infection from happening in the first place. Practice good dental hygiene daily, consider using an antiseptic or fluoride mouth wash in addition to your normal brushing and flossing, eat healthy food with limited sugar intake, replace your toothbrush routinely (around every three months), and schedule regular appointments for dental checkups and cleanings.

Dental Abscess Treatment Options

When it comes to a dental abscess, there really is only one option. Dental abscess treatment is the sole way to ensure the safety of both the tooth and your overall health. Even if the abscess ruptures and the pain decreases, the situation won’t resolve on its own. Abscesses can form into widespread infections if not professionally drained and treated, leading to life-threatening illnesses such as sepsis. To remove the infection, treatment may involve:

• The prescription of antibiotics if the abscess is caught early enough and infection is contained within the affected area. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infection from spreading
• Draining the abscess through a small cut to allow the pus to drain out. The area is then washed with salt water to thoroughly clean the wound
• Pulling the infected tooth if it cannot be saved
• A root canal to remove the diseased tissue, drain the abscess and save the tooth. This process is more extreme but can be a permanent solution for the tooth if cared for properly after the treatment