A dental abscess needs emergency dental care. It is a tooth infection that starts in the mouth and can spread to the face, jaw or throat. The condition can be caused by a cracked tooth, periodontal disease, deep cavity or due to recent dental procedures such as extractions and implants. In most cases, the infection is caused by poor dental health.
Emergency dental care is needed when one has a dental abscess because the bacteria from the tooth can extend into the gums, throat, cheek, the jaw or facial bones or the tissues beneath the tongue. The abscess can become very painful when the tissues become inflamed or due to the pressure within the abscess. In some cases, a dental abscess can result in death if it spreads to the brain.
If the condition is untreated, the infection can spread through the bone and damage adjacent teeth. When the abscess has spread to another area, the area has a tenderness to touch. Dental abscesses range from mild to severe. In mild cases, there may be no symptoms to indicate that the patient has an abscess. In severe cases, the symptoms are often serious. Some of the symptoms of a dental abscess include:
There are three different types of dental abscesses. Gingival abscess occurs only in the gum tissue and does not affect the tooth. Periodontal abscess begins in the supporting bone tissue structures of the teeth. Periapical abscess occurs in the soft pulp of the tooth.
If a person thinks that they have an abscess, they should schedule an appointment with a dentist immediately to get emergency dental care. The dentist will conduct an examination of the mouth to diagnose the problem to determine the right treatment option. The dentist will then cut out the abscess and the pus, which contains bacteria, will be drained. The dentist will administer a local anesthetic before starting the procedure.
Root canal therapy will be used to remove the abscess. A drill is used to bore a hole into the tooth so that the pus can come out. Damaged tissue will be removed from the pulp. A root filling is then inserted into to prevent subsequent infections.
The abscess will be drained and the periodontal pocket cleaned. The surfaces of the root of the tooth will then be smoothed out by scaling and planing below the gumline, helping the tooth heal and preventing further infections from occurring.
The dentist may prescribe antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading and may also prescribe painkillers to help manage the pain. Some of the antibiotics used to treat abscesses include amoxicillin or metronidazole.
Having a dental abscess is a painful experience that requires emergency dental care. If you have an abscess or think that you have one, schedule an appointment with your dentist to get treatment. If you are unable to see your dentist immediately, go to an emergency dental care center.
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