A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that gathers up inside the tooth, or gum, and can go as deep as the bone that keeps the teeth in place. It is caused by bacterial infection. You can get more than one abscess at the same time.
Dental abscesses should not be ignored and must be given immediate attention. In case of an untreated dental abscess, the infection can spread and might even result in serious diseases like meningitis and Ludwig’s angina, along with other complications.
Types of dental abscess
- Periodontal abscess: This abscess starts in the bone tissue of the affected tooth.
- Periapical abscess: It is formed in the pulp of the tooth.
- Gingival abscess: The abscess commences in the gum tissue and does not spread to the tooth.
Regardless of the type, abscesses do not heal themselves and require a course of medication from a dentist.
Symptoms of dental abscess
Often there is no pain associated with a dental abscess, and when it does, it’s identified as a sharp streak or waves of throbbing pain. You can check yourself by putting pressure on the affected tooth. The pain would radiate to your jaw and face, in case of a dental abscess. Below are symptoms that are indicative of a tooth abscess.
- Swollen and red face
- Excruciating pain in the teeth while lying down
- Sudden intense waves of pain
- A tooth that is loose and discoloured
- Bleeding and swollen gums
- Metallic taste in the mouth and a foul odour
- Extreme tooth sensitivity to hot and cold food
- High-grade fever with severe headache
Why does a dental abscess form?
The majority of dental health issues are due to poor dental hygiene, and an abscess is no different. Your teeth will start to deteriorate as soon as there is a build-up of a sticky coating of plaque. The following can lead to a dental abscess:
- Negligent oral health, no brushing, and flossing lead to tooth decay.
- Carbonated sodas and sugary drinks that increase bacteria in the mouth.
- A failed surgery leading to infection in the damaged part of the teeth or gums.
- Diabetes, liver diseases, and viral illnesses that cause the immune system to weaken.
- Prolonged gum disease that was left untreated.
- Dental abscesses in children caused by excessive consumption of sugar.
Are there any effective home remedies for tooth abscess treatment?
There is not much you can do to treat an abscessed tooth at home, but to manage the symptoms till you visit your doctor, you can try the following:
Warm salt water rinse
Take a glass of warm water, mix half a teaspoon of salt in it, swish it in your mouth for thirty seconds then spit it out. Do not perform this remedy if you are a patient with high blood pressure.
Over-the-counter pain medication
You can take over-the-counter medication to manage the intensity of your pain. Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Acetaminophen, diclofenac sodium, and Neubrol Forte are some of the meds most commonly used to treat a painful dental abscess.
Cold Compress
Cold CompressYou can take an ice pack, wrap it in a cloth or a thin towel and place it on the site of pain. You can repeat this several times a day to numb the pain.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is readily available in the market. Take a tea bag and dip it in hot water for five minutes. Once the water cools down, sip the tea and hold it in your mouth for 20 seconds. Do not ingest it.
Garlic
Garlic is a natural antibiotic, you can crush two cloves of garlic and warm them up in a few drops of olive oil. Apply this paste on the infected tooth using a cotton bud. This should be done before bedtime to have a smooth sleep.
Clove oil
Clove has natural analgesic properties, you can warm up a few drops of clove oil and dip a cotton ball in it. Gently tap it over the affected tooth for a few seconds.
How is an abscessed tooth treated at the dentist’s office?
A dental professional may run an X-ray of your abscessed tooth before starting treatment to check how deep the infection has reached. Some suitable treatment options could be:
Drainage of the abscess
Your dentist will make an incision into the abscess, giving way to the pus to drain itself. The area is sanitised using saline water. In cases where there is an accumulation of pus, a small rubber drain is fixed to let the pus drain out completely. You might notice some light bleeding during this process.
Root Canal Treatment
If the infection has reached the bottom of the tooth and there is a risk of it resulting in tooth loss, then your dentist will make an effort to save your tooth through a root canal treatment. The treatment involves drilling down to the core of your tooth for the removal of the diseased tissue and then later filling it up to seal the inner part of the tooth. A crown or cap is placed on it to restore the tooth.
Tooth extraction
If the tooth is completely damaged and cannot be restored, then your dentist will extract the tooth to get rid of the pus. If you are diabetic, your dentist may first run a quick blood glucose test to ensure whether or not it is safe to extract the tooth.
Prescription Medicines
If you have multiple abscessed teeth, then there is a high chance the infection has spread to the gum and the adjacent teeth. Most likely, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to control the spread of the disease.
If you are pregnant or lactating, you need to inform your dentist so that they can recommend the appropriate medication.
Complications of dental abscess
Tooth loss
Prolonged exposure to infection gives way to tooth decay. It can also cause the tooth to break and fall off.
Osteomyelitis
It is a painful condition resulting from not addressing the bacterial infection of the tooth. The infection spreads to the bone and might damage it permanently. Osteomyelitis is treated through antibiotics through an IV or, in some cases, surgery too.
Bacterial sinus infection
Bacterial sinus infectionYour upper jaw is located near your sinuses, and a delayed diagnosis can cause a simple tooth abscess to grow into a sinus infection.
The infection may spread to your blood vessels in the sinuses, setting up a base for a rare condition known as sinus thrombosis, in which a blood clot forms in the brain’s venous system.
Sepsis
A bacterial tooth infection can enter your bloodstream, poisoning it and sending your body into shock. Some early signs of sepsis are:
- High-grade fever poisoning
- Shivering and chills
- Extreme fatigue
- Drop in body temperature
You must contact your nearest emergency medical help if you notice any of these symptoms.
What can be done to prevent tooth abscesses?
Prevention is always better than cure. You can easily keep tooth abscesses at bay by :
- Getting regular dental check-ups and cleaning
- Treating cavities and gum issues on time
- Regulating your oral health routine
- Avoiding excessive sugary drinks
- Avoiding exposure of the tooth to extreme hot or cold temperatures
- Getting timely treatment for broken and cracked teeth
Are you looking for emergency tooth abscess treatment?
Book an online appointment at No Gaps Dental for an urgent check-up, or call us at (02) 8007 6727 to have our dentists help treat your painful dental abscesses.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
What’s to know about dental abscesses?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170136#treatments
Abscessed tooth “what you need to know”
https://www.healthline.com/health/abscessed-tooth
What is an abscessed tooth?
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/abscessed-tooth