Though dental abscesses are often painful, they don’t always need to be painful. Sometimes, they can occur without any pain. In either case, it’s important to consult a dentist because it can’t be cured naturally. In fact, without proper treatment, it can spread to other parts of your body.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is an infection found within the tooth or gums. Due to bacterial infection, a sore pocket filled with pus is formed inside the mouth or throat.
There are two types of dental abscesses:
Periapical abscess – A periapical abscess is formed at the root of a tooth. It usually occurs when the decay gets deep into your nerve chamber and damages the nerve tissue. A cracked tooth, as a result of an injury, can damage this nerve.
Periodontal abscess – A periodontal abscess is formed in the gum. Periodontal disease is a chronic gum infection that results in tooth and bone loss. Without proper treatment, the infection can spread throughout your mouth.
Symptoms of Dental Abscess
- Fever
- Severe toothache that radiates to your jawbone and ear.
- Swelling of the gums and neck glands
- Swelling of the face
- Soreness in your neck and jaw area.
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bad breath
Treatment
First, the dentist will check your infected tooth using a dental instrument. They will check the intensity of pain and also the state of your gums. To ensure whether there’s any decay of the bone, they will take an X-ray.
Once you are diagnosed with a dental abscess, antibiotics may be prescribed for your infection. There are different methods of treatment depending on the reason behind the abscess.
- If it is due to a dying nerve, then a root canal is suggested. The infected tissue is cleaned out and the canals are shaped to accommodate a rubber-like seal to cover it. A crown is also placed over the tooth to prevent it from further damage.
- If the infection has gotten into the root, the tooth is extracted and a dental implant may be placed.
- If the abscess has occurred due to periodontal disease, scaling and root planing are recommended. It consists of deep cleaning using some special instruments.
Prevention
- Regularly have dental checkups
- Maintain your oral health
- Reduce the intake of sugar and carbs
- Drink fluoridated water
- Reduce or stop smoking
Covington Signature Dentistry focuses on restoring your healthy smile. For more details, call us at (253) 638-9955 or visit us at 27121 174th Place SE, Suite 202, Covington, WA 98042.