Tooth Abscess: Diagnosis and Treatment
When your teeth are causing pain, you need to see a dentist urgently. But pain isn’t always caused by tooth decay. You may have a dental abscess. The symptoms are very similar to those of tooth decay, but you won’t necessarily see the tell-tale black marks that you’ll often spot when you’re developing a cavity.
You’ll notice the pain, and you might even be able to tell which tooth is affected because the pain intensifies when you bite down. Sometimes, the tooth will even hurt when you touch it. Because abscesses are caused by bacterial infection, you are likely to feel somewhat feverish and unwell.
You might even find that it’s difficult to open your mouth and that swallowing is uncomfortable. If the abscess has already burst, releasing pus into your mouth, you’ll notice an unpleasant taste.
The infections that cause abscesses occur in the gums, in the bone that supports your teeth, or in the pulp of the tooth itself.
What Should You Do If You Think You May Have a Dental Abscess
A dental abscess requires treatment as soon as possible. When you first notice the pain, it may be slight, but it will only intensify over time if you don’t get help.
When you visit your dentist, he or she will tap or press down on your teeth to determine which one is sensitive. Often, dentists will suggest that you allow them to make an X-ray of the area. This allows them to determine whether the pain is, in fact, caused by an abscess and whether the infection has spread causing secondary abscesses to develop.
If you leave an abscess for too long, it can spread to your neck, and if your dentist suspects that his has happened, a CT scan may be recommended.
Being Kind to Your Mouth Until the Dentist Can See You
A dental abscess is very painful indeed, so feel free to use painkillers to relieve your discomfort. Avoid very hot or very cold foods and drinks and brush the affected area very gently when cleaning your teeth.
Remember that pain killers do not treat infections. So, even if you experience relief after using painkillers, you should still see your dentist as soon as possible.
However, if you are experiencing difficulty in breathing or swallowing, you may need to go to your local hospital to receive emergency treatment.
How Does a Dentist Treat a Tooth Abscess
Treating a tooth abscess usually requires a two-pronged approach. First, the dentist must drain the abscess, removing all the puss and cleaning out the area where it collected. Secondly, the dentist prescribes antibiotics to help you fight off any remaining infection. This isn’t always necessary.
An infection inside the pulp of the tooth means that you may need an extraction or a root canal. The dentist will try to save your tooth if at all possible, and this may mean having a root-canal treatment. In this case, the dentist drills out the pulp of the tooth, drains the abscess and then fills the cleaned out pulp chamber.
As a last resort when the offending tooth can’t be saved, the dentist may decide that extracting the tooth is the only solution, and in this case, tooth replacement in the form of dentures, bridgework or implants will be recommended.
The bacterial infections that cause abscesses can spread, leading to severe complications if left untreated. If you think you may have a dental abscess, explain your problem to the dentist’s receptionist so that you can get an emergency appointment.
