Everything You Need to Know about Dental Abscesses
These days, it’s more important than ever to take care of your teeth. Your beautiful smile is part of what makes you who are and shines a light on this dreary world. It’s important to maintain a healthy level of dental hygiene so that your pearly whites can be at their best.
Oral health plays an important role in your physical and mental health. It may seem like it’s unnecessary to floss, but you aren’t actually able to remove the plaque in between your teeth if you don’t, which can cause gum disease in the long run. Furthermore, brushing your teeth twice per day is more important than many of us realize. Not doing so can lead to a myriad of issues, including dental abscesses, which can lead to many problems. In rare cases, this condition can actually lead to the potentially life-threatening disease by the name of sepsis, illustrating just how important it is to maintain your oral health on a regular basis.
Although pain is often an unavoidable part of life, it’s important to control what you can and maintain a healthy level of oral hygiene. Furthermore, many dental issues can often be caused by stress, so it’s important to ensure that you’re taking holiday occasionally and getting enough sleep every night. You’ll be glad you did.
What is a Dental Abscess?
According to this emergency dentist Brisbane, a dental abscess is a build-up of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. It is also sometimes called a tooth abscess.
Why Do Dental Abscesses Occur?
Dental abscesses usually occur from a bacterial infection that forms in the soft pulp in your teeth. This is very uncomfortable.
Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess
Unfortunately, many uncomfortable symptoms often come with having a tooth abscess. These include the following:
- Fever
- Pain in the affected area
- Sensitivity to heat, cold temperature, and liquids.
- A foul taste in your mouth
- A feeling of general sickness
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Insomnia
- Difficulty opening your mouth
The pain may radiate to the jaw, ear bone, and neck. It creates a throbbing sensation and can worsen over a few days.
The Stages of a Tooth Abscess
There are six stages of a tooth abscess. They are as follows:
- White spots
- Enamel decay
- Denton decay
- The involvement of pulp
- Abscess formation
- Tooth loss
To avoid these conditions altogether, brush your teeth at least twice and floss at least once every day.
How To Treat Your Abscess Before You Visit Your Dentist
Even if you call the dentist immediately, you may not be able to attend an appointment for a few days. If that’s the case, you can use the following at-home remedies to reduce the pain:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Avoid drinking beverages that are extremely hot or cold
- Avoid eating food that’s extremely hot or cold
- Chew on the side of the mouth without the abscess
- Do not floss around the affected area
- Use a very soft toothbrush
Dental Abscesses Treatment Options
Fortunately, thanks to modern medicine, there are plenty of treatments available if you find yourself suffering from a dental abscess. If you find yourself struggling with this issue, call a dentist as soon you can.
If you are having trouble breathing and swallowing, head to the emergency room immediately. You should receive treatment as soon as possible.
The Three Types of Dental Abscesses
There are three different types of dental abscesses resulting from various conditions. It is very important to brush your teeth twice each day and floss once daily in order to prevent abscesses from occurring.
Gingival
You have a gingival tooth abscess if it is only in the gum tissue. It does not affect the periodontal ligament or the tooth.
Periodontal
You have a periodontal tooth abscess if it starts in the supporting tissue structures of the teeth.
Periapical
You have a periapical abscess if it occurs in the soft pulp of the tooth.
Each type of dental abscess has a different level of severity and different symptoms. For this reason, the procedures vary according to the specific type of condition you have.
Treatment for a Periodontal Abscess
We make an incision to treat this type of condition. The abscess needs to be cut out and the pus needs to be drained away.
Treatment for a Periapical Abscess
In this case, the abscess must be removed through a root canal procedure. A drill is used to bore a hole into the dead tooth so that the pus can come out. Then, a root filling is inserted into that space in order to prevent further infection.
What Do You Do If a Detnal Abscess Bursts On Its Own?
If a dental abscess bursts on its own, it’s essential to use warm water rinses to soothe the mouth while encouraging drainage. If this occurs, the pain will decrease, but you’ll still need medical treatment to ensure that it drains properly, so you’ll want to call your dentist. If it doesn’t, you could get sepsis: a life-threatening disease that affects the entire body.
Antibiotics
Although antibiotics cannot be used as a substitute for dental treatment, they may help you stop the infection from spreading. They can be taken along with painkillers. Amoxicillin and metronidazole are common medicines for this condition.
Dental Abscess Complications
You will be relieved to know that complications are extremely rare. Unfortunately, they do still occur once in a blue moon.
Dental Cysts
A fluid-filled cavity may develop at the bottom of the root of the tooth if the dental abscess is left untreated, which is called a dental cyst. If this occurs, you may require surgery, and you will certainly need antibiotics.
Ludwig’s Angina
This is a potentially fatal condition. It occurs when the bacteria from the abscess spreads and the floor of your mouth becomes infected. Patients are treated with antibiotics. You may have to undergo a procedure to open your airways if you’re having trouble breathing.
Osteomyelitis
This occurs when the bacteria make their way into the bloodstream and affects the bone. Treatment involves intravenous or oral antibiotics.
Maxillary Sinusitis
Thankfully, this condition is not serious. However, you may suffer from fever as the bacteria spreads into small areas behind your cheekbones. Your doctor can give you a prescription for antibiotics, but, fortunately, this condition often dissipates on its own.
How To Get Rid of a Tooth Abscess Without Going to the Dentist
If you cannot go to the dentist immediately, consider the following home remedies:
- Saltwater Rinse
- Oregano essential oil
- Baking Soda
- Cold compress
- Fenugreek Tea
- Thyme essential oil
- Clove essential oil
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Oil Pulling
- Garlic
These remedies are quite wonderful in decreasing the symptoms you’re experiencing. They are, by all means, temporary solutions, but at least they will reduce the pain for a short while.
Saltwater is quite nice. It stings a bit, but it’s certainly good at fighting infections. Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective disinfectant that will significantly help. Baking soda will remove the plaque in your mouth, and it also has antibacterial qualities.
Of course, it is always ideal to seek care immediately if you have a tooth abscess. These remedies are most effective when used as complementary treatments. If left untreated, your dental abscess could spread to other parts of your face and your eyes. You’ll want to see a doctor immediately and a dentist soon after.
Tooth Abscesses in Children
according to Brisbane Kids Dentist Dr Soha Sharif, your child may have an abscessed tooth if they are experiencing severe, throbbing pain and have red, swollen gums. Always check with your dentist if you believe this is the case.
How Do You Prevent Tooth Abscesses?
Be sure to provide your child with a healthy diet that excludes sugar. Ensure that your kid brushes and flosses every day and receives regular dental checkups.
If you practice consistent dental hygiene, you are unlikely to get a tooth abscess. You might be wondering what to do to minimize your risk of enduring this condition. You’ll want to eat a healthy diet, stop smoking if that’s an activity you engage in, and limit sugar and alcohol.
We hope that you practice excellent oral hygiene and never have to experience a dental abscess. However, we are here to help if you need our services. We know how hard it can be when you or your children are suffering, and our mission is to ensure that neither one of you has to endure the pain any longer.
If you or your loved one has a dental abscess, it’s essential to know your options so that you can receive treatment as quickly as possible. We are here to help you every step of the way. We care about you and your family, and you can count on us to provide you with the services you and your loved ones need. Please contact Brisbane dentist puredentistry.com.au for more information.