Abscessed Tooth/ Gum Pain/ Swelling
Gum pain, swelling, and pus-filled cysts are common symptoms of an abscessed tooth, a tooth with a pocket of pus formed by bacterial infections. You may have an abscessed tooth for different reasons at different places, such as the tip of the root or the side of a root. Most dental abscesses occur because of untreated dental cavities, dental injuries, or gingivitis. If you notice the signs and symptoms of an abscessed tooth, you must contact an emergency dentist near your location immediately. If left untreated, an abscessed tooth may necessitate an emergency tooth extraction. Below, we help you identify the signs and symptoms of dental abscesses and discuss the appropriate treatments.
Signs and symptoms of dental abscesses include:
- Severe and persistent toothaches
- Toothaches radiating to the jawbone, ears, and neck
- Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Extreme sensitivity while biting and chewing
- Toothaches accompanied by fevers
- Swellings in the face and cheeks
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or jaws
- Pus-filled cysts at the base of the teeth or gums
- Foul-smelling or foul-tasting fluid in the mouth
- Inability to breathe and swallow properly
If you notice the signs and symptoms of dental abscesses, you must contact an emergency dentist immediately. This is especially true if you have a fever or trouble breathing and swallowing. These symptoms indicate that the bacterial infection has spread deeper into your body, thereby risking your overall health. If left untreated, the dental abscess may cause life-threatening complications, such as respiratory problems and heart conditions.
What causes a dental abscess?
A dental abscess occurs when bacteria enter the pulp chamber of the teeth, i.e., the part of the tooth housing the sensitive pulp tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Bacteria can enter the pulp chamber via small openings on the teeth, usually in the form of dental cracks or cavities that haven’t been treated. The bacterial infection starts with swelling and inflammation, but it may eventually cause serious complications.
Tips to prevent a dental abscess:
- Drink fluoridated water
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss your teeth at least once a day
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months
- Limit sugar beverages and snacks
- Go for professional dental cleanings at least once every 6 months
- Use fluoride mouth rinse to prevent dental decays
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What’s the treatment for a dental abscess?
Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
Your dental abscess treatment will start with a thorough diagnosis and examination. The emergency dentist will carefully examine your teeth, gums, and root and administer diagnostic tests to examine the true extent of the damage. After examining the teeth, the emergency dentist will curate a personalized treatment plan just for you.
Incision & Drainage
During the treatment, the dentist will make a small incision on the pus-filled cyst to drain the fluid and wash the area with saline water. The emergency dentist may also place a rubber drain to extract any remaining fluids from the cyst while your swelling goes down. After draining the cyst, the dentist will have to perform a root canal.
Root Canal Treatment
During the root canal, the dentist will drill an access hole into the tooth to remove all the pulp tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. The empty pulp chamber will be cleaned and disinfected, following which it will be sealed with a special material. The dentist will take impressions of your teeth to prepare a dental crown, which will protect the weakened tooth.
Emergency Dental Extraction
Root canals can save your affected teeth if you visit the dentist promptly. However, in most cases, the infected tooth has to be extracted. The emergency dentist may have to cut into the surrounding gum and bone tissues to dislodge the tooth and pull it out completely. You will most probably need an emergency tooth extraction for a dental abscess if you have a fever.
Antibiotic Treatment
If the dental abscess spreads to the surrounding areas in your teeth and jaws, the emergency dentist will also prescribe antibiotics. This will protect the surrounding teeth and your overall health, preventing a recurrence of a dental abscess in another part of the mouth. You may also receive antibiotics if you have a weak immune system.
Are you suffering from pain due to a dental abscess? Book now.
Abscessed Tooth/ Gum Pain/ Swelling FAQs
Abscessed Tooth/ Gum Pain/ Swelling FAQs
- Knocked-out teeth
- Dental abscesses
- Periodontitis
- Fractured teeth
- Lost fillings and crowns
If your tooth is cracked in half, your dentist will examine the extent of the damage and recommend the appropriate treatments. You may need an emergency dental extraction if the crack extends under the gum line. In some cases, the dentist may protect the tooth with a root canal.
If your tooth is chipped, the emergency dentist may recommend fillings, bonding, or crowns. However, if the crack extends under the gum line or into the pulp chamber, you may need a root canal or dental extraction.
Yes, an abscessed tooth must undergo an emergency dental extraction in most cases. The dentist pulls the tooth if there’s a risk that it would harm the surrounding teeth.
Contact an emergency dentist open today
Edge Dental is one of the leading state-of-the-art dental emergency clinics in Houston. Our emergency dentists carefully examine your teeth and oral health, discuss your symptoms, and run advanced diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of your dental problems. Gum swelling and pain are common symptoms of periodontitis or dental abscesses, both of which are considered dental emergencies. Please contact our emergency dentist at 15455 Memorial Dr #400 Houston, TX, for more information.
