Abcessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and the tooth. It's most commonly caused by severe tooth decay, however, other causes of tooth abscess are trauma to the tooth, such as when it is broken or chipped, and gingivitis or gum disease.

These problems can cause openings in the tooth enamel, which allows bacteria to infect the center of the tooth (called the pulp). The infection may also spread from the root of the tooth to the bones supporting the tooth causing sever discomfort.

Symptoms:

• Fever
• Pain when chewing
• Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold
• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Foul smell to the breath
• Swollen neck glands
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
• Redness and swelling of the gums
• Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw
• An open, draining sore on the side of the gum

Even if these symptoms subside, it is extremely important to visit your dentist because the infection may still be present and causing tissue destruction.

Treatment Process:

The goal of the treatment process for an abscessed tooth is to eliminate the infection, preserve the tooth, and prevent complications.

• To eliminate infection, the abscess may need to be drained. Achieving drainage may be done through the tooth by a procedure known as a root canal. Then, a crown may be placed over the tooth.
• The tooth may also be extracted, allowing drainage through the socket.
• Finally, a third way to drain the abscess would be by incision into the swollen gum tissue.

In order to fight the infection, antibiotics are prescribed after the treatment. Discomfort relative to an abscessed tooth can high, therefore to relieve the pain, warm salt-water rinses and over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can be used. The inflammation and pain of abscesses may also be relieved with a low-level laser, making the patient more comfortable to receive the injection in a more painless way.

Prevention:

As always, following good oral hygiene practices can reduce the risk of developing a tooth abscess. Thorough brushing and flossing will help immensely. Also, if your teeth experience trauma -for example, become loosened or chipped- seek prompt dental attention because it could be followed by high levels of discomfort thereby creating other unwanted issues.