Usually, a bacterial infection that has built up in the tooth’s soft pulp is the cause of the abscess. Plaque, a byproduct of food, saliva, and oral bacteria that clings to the teeth and harms the gums, contains bacteria. The germs may spread into the soft tissue of the tooth or gums if the plaque is not eliminated by routinely brushing and flossing properly. An abscess may develop as a result of this. Your dentist in Edmonton must treat it right away. An abscess in the mouth won’t disappear on its own.
What are the symptoms you have a dental abscess?
- Severe tooth pain or gum discomfort
- Redness in the mouth, on the face, or the jawline.
- The affected area is sensitive to hot or cold food and drink.
- An unpleasant aftertaste
- You have trouble expanding your mouth and chewing your meal
- An enlarged jaw or face
- Elevated temperature
Getting dental abscess treatment
Dentists typically treat dental abscesses. The dentist will remove the pus. If a dental issue brought on the abscess, you might require root canal therapy or even tooth extraction. A local anesthetic will be administered to you to make you pain-free. Following treatment, you might be prescribed medications to take for a few days, along with antibiotics.
What are the causes of a dental abscess?
Dental abscesses typically develop when pus accumulates behind the gums or teeth due to an oral infection.
A dental abscess could develop if:
- You have a tooth that has not adequately emerged from your gums (an impacted tooth)
- You suffer from gum disease or tooth decay.
- Your mouth, gums, or teeth have been hurt.
- You are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
What are the complications?
Most of the time, issues only develop from untreated abscesses. Even after seemingly successful therapy, issues can still happen, but this is extremely uncommon. Potential issues include:
- Dental cysts – If the abscess is not treated, a hollow at the base of the tooth’s root may get filled with fluid. The term for this is a dental cyst. The cyst has a high chance of contracting an infection. The patient will require antibiotics and perhaps surgery if this occurs.
- Osteomyelitis – This condition occurs when germs from an abscess enter the bloodstream and infect a bone. The patient will feel hotter than normal, have excruciating pain in the damaged bone, and possibly feel queasy. Usually, the abscess’ location will be close to the damaged bone. However, any bone in the body could be damaged since it can have entered the bloodstream. Antibiotics are administered intravenously or orally during treatment.
- Cavernous sinus thrombosis – When germs infect a big vein near the base of the brain called the cavernous sinus, a blood clot develops there. Antibiotics are used to treat cavernous sinus thrombosis, and sinus surgery may also be necessary. The disorder may be lethal in some circumstances. This problem is quite uncommon.
- Ludwig’s angina – When bacteria from a dental abscess spread, the mouth’s floor becomes infected. Under the tongue and in the neck, there is swelling and excruciating discomfort. In serious circumstances, the patient can have trouble breathing: a potentially lethal ailment, Ludwig’s angina. Antibiotics are used to treat patients. If breathing becomes difficult, those with severe Ludwig angina might need an operation to open the airway.
- Maxillary sinusitis – The germs invade the tiny cavities, or maxillary sinuses, behind the cheekbones. Although not serious, this ailment can be uncomfortable. The patient may become feverish, and experience flushed cheeks. Sometimes the illness gets better on its own. Antibiotics may be prescribed by the doctor depending on the severity.
How to prevent dental abscesses?
- You can take a few steps to help avoid dental abscesses.
- At least twice a day, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Spit after brushing; do not rinse.
- Use floss or interdental brushes to clean your teeth each day.
- Every one to three months, replace your toothbrush.
- Undergo routine dental exams so that issues can be found early
To know more about what dental abscess is, visit your Edmonton dentist at Smile Zone Dental. Call us at 780-989-5733 to book an appointment.
