Dental abscesses are often seen to be a scary dental condition, but they can be easily treated painlessly as well as prevented.
An abscess is an infection that occurs either at the tooth’s root causing a periapical abscess or the gums causing a periodontal abscess.
Common Symptoms of an Abscess
Its common symptoms are:
- Fever
- Swelling on face
- Bad breath
- Sore neck and jaw
- Throbbing toothaches that radiate to other parts of the face
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
An abscess can sometimes be not at all painful while sometimes very painful.
How is an abscess treated?
There are a few ways of treating an abscess. Sometimes the dentist might prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection, but if the reason behind the infection is a decayed tooth, dying nerve, or severe gum disease, then you need to get a different specific treatment.
If the abscess is because of a dying nerve, then the dentist might recommend you to undergo a root canal. In this procedure, the infected tissue will be removed, the canals will be cleaned as well as disinfected, and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha to avoid reinfection. As a final step, a crown is placed over the remaining tooth to prevent any breakage in the future.
If the reason behind infection is periodontal disease, then the next step would be scaling and root planing. Deep cleaning is performed under the effect of anesthesia using specialized instruments. Sometimes the dentist may use lasers to sterilize the pocket to prevent any more infection.
How can you avoid getting an Abscess?
Prevention is an essential step that can help you keep your mouth healthy. There are numerous ways to prevent any abscess related to decay or gum disease. They are as follows:
- Get regular professional cleanings done by your dentist
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss between your teeth at least once a day
- Replace your toothbrush head/ toothbrush every three to four months
- Don’t ever share your toothbrush
- Look into your sugar and carbohydrate intake
- Rinse your mouth daily with a mild mouthwash
With proper care, you can avoid any dental issue that may end up causing dental abscess, which may lead to further complications.
Dr. Peter Yeh, DDS at Covington Signature Dentistry, can help improve the oral health of our patients while transforming their smiles. Call us at (253) 638-9955 or schedule an appointment online.