How To Heal An Abscess Tooth

Home Remedies For Tooth & Gum Abscess Volume 1

A dental abscess can be really painful. The goal is to treat them as soon as possible. And while your dentist might not be available right away, he is the only one that can fix it. But in the meantime, you need to relief the pain and there are good, fast and short-term home remedies that can help you.

The important thing is that you dont ignore an abscess and you should have it treated as soon as possible. Even though it can mostly form on your teeth or gums, the complications can be life-threatening.

Dentists are the only one that can help you get rid of an abscess and you should not attempt to fix it on your own. These home remedies are a good pain relief but they are not a permanent solution to the problem.

Now these remedies wont work on all types of abscesses equally. Some are good for both gum and teeth while others just for one type:

Antibiotics For Tooth Infections

Antibiotics are used sparingly for dental abscesses because of the risk of generating drug-resistant bacteria. They will usually be used for abscesses with complications or if the patient has a fever or trouble breathing. Mostly, however, it will depend on the dentist or endodontist. The antibiotic prescribed will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Amoxicillin is the most popular antibiotic for tooth infections. It’s often used with clavulanic acid to increase its effectiveness against bacteria. However, patients are just as likely to be prescribed penicillin, clindamycin, or azithromycin. Relief from pain and swelling will be noticeable in a day or two, but it takes three to seven days to treat the infection completely.

How Is A Dental Abscess Diagnosed

Most dental abscesses are due to tooth decay. Many of the risk factors for tooth decay, or dental caries, are also the risk factors for dental abscesses:

• Poor oral health or hygiene
• Lack of dental care follow-up
• An unrepaired cracked tooth
• Methamphetamine abuse

Other risk factors include gum disease, periodontal disease, or a partially erupted tooth.

The painsometimes severe paincaused by abscessed teeth motivates people to seek help. The dentist will do a physical examination of the affected tooth. The tooth or tissues will be painful and sensitive to touch. The dentist will also look for swelling, redness, fever, and other symptoms such as facial redness, lockjaw, swollen lymph nodes, and difficulty swallowing. If there is trouble breathing or any mental changes, the infection may be a medical emergency.

The initial visit will usually include a panoramic X-ray or an X-ray of the tooth to confirm the diagnosis. In particular, an X-ray can help differentiate a tooth abscess from other conditions such as periodontitis. Depending on the symptoms, the dentist might also X-ray the head and neck to ensure the infection has not spread. No other tests are necessary.

If the infection is more complicated or the patient has a fever and other symptoms, the abscess will require antibiotics. The dentist or healthcare professional will perform a blood test to determine the nature of the infection and the body’s response to it. They might also order a CT or MRI scan.

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When Should I Visit The Dentist For Tooth Abscess

If you notice any of the symptoms of tooth abscess listed above, you should come in to see us as soon as possible, and we will make every effort to set aside a same day appointment for you. Because of the dangers associated with tooth abscess, one of our dentists may even recommend coming into the office outside of regular hours. Dont wait for the pain or infection to spread. Get help right away.

Risk Factors Of An Untreated Dental Abscess

Dental abscesses should be treated promptly or there is a risk for serious complications. If you ignore your tooth infection or wait too long to get treatment, you may experience:

• Tooth loss if the abscessed tooth becomes severely infected or weak, a root canal will not be able to save it. If this is the case, you must get the tooth removed and replaced with a dental implant and dental crown .
• Bone infection leaving the tooth untreated can result in an infection that affects the surrounding facial bones.
• Sinus infections frequent and painful sinus infections and/or oral soft tissue infections can develop as well.
• this is a life-threatening condition that occurs when your entire bloodstream becomes infected. A dental abscess can trigger septicemia if left untreated long-term.
• Brain abscess a dental abscess infection can travel to the brain, resulting in another abscess. This is relatively rare but can occur if the infection becomes severe enough. A brain abscess is dangerous and requires a visit to the emergency room or hospital for treatment.

Summary

A tooth abscess is serious and can be life-threatening . It can lead to tooth loss, bone/sinus infections, septicemia , or a brain abscess .

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What Is A Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is also called an oral abscess or tooth abscess. It is a localized infection that results in a collection of pus.

According to Dr. Nandita Lilly, one of NewMouth’s in-house dentists, “a dental abscess, if not treated accordingly, can lead to hospitalization. In some cases, it can be fatal.”

The long-term build-up of pus inside the gums or teeth triggers an abscess, which forms due to a bacterial infection. The infection affects the surrounding structures of teeth and can cause persistent toothaches and other symptoms.

Three main types of oral abscesses can form in different regions around a tooth, including:

Treatment For A Dental Abscess

Dental abscesses are usually treated by a dentist. The dentist will drain away the pus.

If a problem with your tooth has caused the abscess, you may need root canal treatment, or the tooth may be removed. You’ll be given a local anaesthetic, so you do not feel any pain.

You may be offered painkillers to take for a few days after treatment and may also be given antibiotics.

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Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection

The most obvious symptom of a tooth infection is pain. Intense, sharp, or shooting pain in a tooth is a good indication that there is an infection that needs to be dealt with. Some of the other common symptoms of a tooth infection are:

• Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache that can radiate to the jawbone, neck or ear

• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures

• Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting

• Fever not associated with flu or another illness

• Swelling in your face, cheek, or jaw.

• Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck

• Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief, if the abscess ruptures

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Signs And Symptoms Of An Infected Tooth

You may have an infected or abscessed tooth if youre experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Painful throbbing in your tooth, jawbone or near your neck
• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Sensitivity to the pressure
• Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or neck
• A salty fluid taste in your mouth
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Contact your dentist if you think you may have an infection, and consider the below home remedies to soothe your symptoms until then.

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Dental Abscess Treatment And Prevention

Please take comfort in the fact that while abscesses are unpleasant to deal with, theyre a regular occurrence at your dental office. Your dental professional is specially trained and equipped to diagnose the underlying cause of your abscess, provide appropriate treatment, and offer tips to prevent it from occurring again in the future.

Treatment for a dental abscess may include:

• Prescribed antibiotics
• Professional removal of infected tissue, drainage of the abscess, and cleaning affected areas
• Root canal treatment if the infection has infiltrated the soft inside of your tooth

To prevent future abscesses and avoid worsening the conditions that led to your infection, its a smart bet to use this time to ensure youre practicing a healthy dental routine.

Steps to maintain your oral health may include:

• Gently brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Clean between your teeth once a day using floss, a flossing device, or an interdental brush
• Consume a balanced diet that limits overly sugary or acidic foods and beverages
• Avoid smoking and tobacco products
• Visit your dental professional regularly

Dealing with an abscess can be difficult, but you can take this as a challenge to improve your dental routine and avoid further problems in the future. Youve made a great choice to inform yourself on what dental abscesses are, why you need professional treatment, and what you can do to find temporary relief in the meantime.

In Conclusion You Should Probably Book An Appointment At The Dentist

Whilst these at-home remedies are cheap, easy and give you an excuse to avoid the dentist, we recommend that you seek professional help for an abscess.

If left untreated or poorly treated for too long, an abscess can turn into a bigger problem.

Contact us and book an appointment today. Our experienced dental staff will make sure you get the treatment you need.

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What Are The Common Side Effects Of Medicine For A Dental Abscess

Different classes of medications have different side effects. However, this is not a complete list, and you should consult with a healthcare professional for possible side effects and drug interactions based on your specific situation.

Oral antibiotics typically can cause upset stomach, intestinal problems, and loss of appetite. Allergic reactions are a concern. Allergies to various types of antibiotics are common and could be severe. About 1 in 15 people are allergic to antibiotics.

NSAIDs are the pain relief medication of choice for dental abscesses. They are widely available, inexpensive, and safe. The major possible issues with NSAIDs are gastrointestinal side effects including stomach problems, ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and stomach pain. NSAIDs are known to cause kidney failure and can precipitate heart disease in elderly patients. All NSAIDs interfere with the bloods ability to form blood clots, so bleeding and bruising are common problems.

Rinse Your Mouth With Saltwater

Rinse your mouth with salt water to find temporary relief from the discomfort. It is an affordable and easy home solution. A saltwater rinse also works effectively to heal wounds and promotes healthy gums.

Take ½ teaspoon of salt and pour it into a cup of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this salty remedy and swish the solution for 2 minutes at least. Do this thrice a day.

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Can An Abscessed Tooth Be Prevented

Take these simple steps to keep your teeth and gums healthy:

• Get regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings.
• Brush your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily to clean hard-to-reach spots between your teeth and gums.
• Make a dentist appointment as soon as possible if you have a loose or cracked tooth.
• Limit sugary foods and drinks. Sweets and sodas lead to cavities, which can cause an abscess.
• Cut down on snacks between meals.

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Oil Pulling As Abscess Remedy

Inflammation and plaque under bleeding gums can also be reduced by oil pulling. This is also a good method in relieving pain from gum abscesses. Oil pulling means that you:

• Take a teaspoon of unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil
• Rinse your mouth with it between 1 and 3 minutes
• Spit it out in your trash can

In our next blog we will focus on home remedies for abscesses that are good for relieving pain from both tooth and gum abscesses. In the meantime, if you believe that you have problems with an abscess, make sure to contact us and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

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What Should I Do To Get It Fixed

Sometimes these things will spontaneously erupt, which will take care of the pain part. Just because that happens, though, you need to go see a dental professional so that they can see if there are any lingering infections. Before you see the Clearwater dentist, you can take over-the-counter pain medication to regulate that discomfort and you can also rinse your mouth out with warm salt water.

If you are still feeling the pain and discomfort when you go see your dentist, they will examine your mouth. If they do determine that it is an abscess, they can do one or more of the following:

• They can drain the abscess by making a small incision at the pocket and then use a saline solution to wash everything away.
• They may remove the tooth if it is not in good enough condition to be saved
• They may do a root canal where the infected root is removed and a crown is placed over the tooth.
• They may prescribe antibiotics to ensure that there is no infection.

The most important point of all of this is that you need to have your abscessed tooth even if it erupts looked at by a dental professional to make sure that there is nothing else happening. While there is a very small chance of this happening, you do not want to run the risk of getting sepsis, no matter how rare it is. You do not want to be part of that very tiny percentage that gets very sick or even has something life-threatening.

Pain Relief For Tooth Abscess

Some preventive measures for untreated tooth abscess include basic preventive techniques that anyone can do at home. These steps will improve your orals and help you tackle tooth abscess anytime.

• Avoid food and drinks with high sugar content: this might not be the direct cause of a tooth abscess, but it is the beginning, and the root cause of tooth decays that lead to abscesses. When such foods are consumed consistently will not only lead to decay but an abscess.
• Furthermore, if you already have an untreated abscess too, these foods are acidic and trigger pain and discomfort
• Avoid extremely hot or cold foods: when you suffer from an abscess, it signifies that there is a bad tooth that reacts to cold or hot food close to it. If you experience such with a tooth, you might have an abscess.
• Go for a tooth filling: most times tooth decay or a hole in your teeth can lead to an abscess. If you can visibly see a hole in your tooth, please visit the dentist. Having the hole filled will reduce the pain and prevent any further infection or the spread of it.
• Improve and increase your oral hygiene process: although excruciating, brushing or flossing the areas surrounding the tooth that hurts seldom reduces the pain. If you try this and it doesnt work, please visit your local medical facility or book an appointment with your dentist.

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Home Remedies For An Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth can be a painful dental condition that, if left untreated, could turn into a serious health concern. A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that develops around the tooth, usually near the root, caused by an infection. Symptoms typically include persistent and throbbing pain, bad breath, swollen gums, and sometimes accompanied by a fever.

Theres no substitute for going to the dentist, and a tooth abscess should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. But, fortunately, there are some home remedies for an abscessed tooth that will help alleviate pain and relieve discomfort until you can get into a dentists chair.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of An Abscessed Tooth

Besides examining your tooth and the surrounding area, your dentist may perform the following actions:

Lightly pat your teeth. If an abscess is found at the tooth root, its typically sensitive to touch or pressure.

Recommend an X-ray. An X-ray of the painful tooth can help identify an abscess. Your dentist may also use X-rays to verify whether the infection has spread, causing abscesses in other areas.

Recommend a CT scan. If the infection has expanded to other areas within the neck, a CT scan may be performed to evaluate how extensive the infection is.

The objective of treatment is to get rid of the infection. Your dentist may perform the following:

Open up and drain the abscess. The dentist will make a small incision into the abscess, so the pus can drain out, and then clean the area with salt water . In some cases, a small rubber drain is placed to keep the area open for drainage while the swelling diminishes.

Do a root canal. A root canal can effectively eliminate the infection and preserve your tooth. First, your dentist drills down into your tooth, takes out the diseased pulp and drains the abscess. The next step is filling and sealing the tooths pulp chamber and root canals. For stability, the tooth may be capped with a crown. If you take good care of your restored tooth properly, it can last for many years, if not a lifetime.

If you think you have a dental abscess, contact us straightaway.

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