A dental abscess sounds like a scary problem, and to be fair, it is not without its dangers. However, the best way to deal with these kinds of problems is head on, because they can be helped, treated and removed.
Your oral health depends on a keen eye and quick action, so read on to find out more about abscesses, their commonality and what you can do about them.
For your average person, a dental abscess may only occur once in a lifetime. However, this does not mean that they are not serious and that they cannot occur more often due to bad luck, uneven oral hygiene or any number of factors.
Like all tooth decay, a dental abscess usually forms from a lack of regular oral hygiene. Bacteria collects in the mouth and finds a home either in a split in the gum or a crack in the tooth and forms an infection. This infection becomes an infected sack full of pus, usually hiding under the tooth, and is called an abscess.
The first and most memorable symptom of a dental abscess is the frequent, throbbing pain in the mouth (focused on the tooth). This may not be limited to only pressure: Hot and cold drinks may also spike this pain.
An abscess is an infection, which means it is affecting your entire immune system and body. This can cause a feeling of illness, with symptoms like fatigue, inability to sleep and even swollen lymph nodes if the infection becomes bad enough.
Another, less frequent symptom is a sudden foul taste in the mouth; this is caused by infected pus seeping from the abscess, and it is not a pleasant experience.
First, go to the dentist immediately if you suspect you have a dental abscess. If the symptoms have progressed to swollen tongue or throat or trouble breathing, this is an emergency situation.
Generally, the abscess is lanced or cut out with a scalpel by the dentist and all the pus and bacteria suctioned out and cleaned. This is a very minor surgery, but it does use a local anesthetic to numb the area. In extreme cases, root canals or tooth removal may be recommended.
Like an infection, a dental abscess can be extremely dangerous depending on the situation. The elderly and the very young are in particular danger, but anyone can have serious side effects from an infection. In general, when it comes to abscesses, do not wait. Go to your dentist right away.
A dental abscess can cause a whole host of problems in the long run, some of them quite serious. If you are worried that you or a loved one has a dental abscess, it is time to call the dentist and get treatment started.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Carolina Smiles Family Dental, request an appointment in our Brevard office here: https://www.carolinasmilesdentist.com. Or call us at (828) 974-3326.
There is a brief window of opportunity in which an emergency dentist may be able to save a tooth that gets knocked out. The chances are better within 30 minutes after the injury and start to decrease after an hour, so prompt treatment is key. There are things you can do before seeing the dentist…
If a patient has cracked, chipped, or broken a tooth, a licensed emergency dentist can provide quick relief in a variety of ways and ultimately repair the tooth to make it look whole again. This type of tooth damage can happen to anyone, but a person may be more at risk for this type of…
Many dentists are recommending that patients not receive checkup visits and elective procedures in the office until after social distancing for COVID-19 is over and it is safe to do so. However, many dentists are still offering emergency dentistry services, and it is helpful for people to know what is considered a dental emergency. A loose…
It is good to know an emergency dentist can help with the most critical oral health needs. With proper care and attention, you may not ever have to see this dentist for urgent problems. By practicing sound dental health habits, you can avoid many troubling issues. The results can instead be strong, healthy teeth and…
Dental bonding is an affordable way to fix many restorative and cosmetic dental issues, and it is often completed during a single visit. The materials used are made up of mixtures of plastics and glass, and they are color-matched with the rest of the patient’s teeth.It is a non-invasive way to repair teeth, and there…
Invisalign® is often the preferred choice for patients looking to straighten their smiles without the hassle of getting metal braces. If you have been avoiding teeth straightening because you are worried about people noticing metal brackets and wires on your teeth, Invisalign could be the perfect choice for you. Continue reading to see how you…