A dental abscess is the result of an infection and can form inside the gums, teeth and even in the bone that holds the teeth in place. A dental abscess is the accumulation of infection and bacteria in a pocket of space and can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort. An abscess is the result of an infection that has either spread to the root tip or around the root of a tooth. When an abscess forms, it means that you have an active infection and need to treat it right away. It is very important that you seek treatment fast, as infections can be unpredictable and rapidly spread.
An abscess can either be a tooth abscess (periapical abscess) or an abscess located in the gum (periodontal abscess). This is determined by where the infection originated. A gum abscess differs in source and location since it starts in a pocket in the gum that is next to the root but outside of the tooth.
Anyone who currently has a dental abscess or has experienced one in the past knows that it is in a category of its own.
1. Seek treatment immediately.
Call your dentist and describe your symptoms. Never ignore or delay treatment if you have an infection or are worried there is a possibility you have one. See your dentist right away as the infection can spread and cause serious complications as well as further damage.
2. You can start fighting the infection right away.
There are things you can do immediately while on your own, especially if your dentist is not open on that day or at that hour. There are natural antibiotics as well as natural remedies you can use in the meantime. These consist of garlic, baking soda, and salt rinses. You can also boost your body's immune system by taking vitamin c.
3. Draw the infection out.
You should never attempt to pop an abscess on your own. However, there are methods you can use to help the abscess drain naturally on its own by pulling the infection out. Natural ways of doing this include using a tea bag or making a paste out of baking soda.
4. Reduce your inflammation and relieve your pain.
While awaiting your dentist appointment, you may want to take over the counter medication such as naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) as well as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce inflammation and help with pain. Using the above-mentioned salt water rinse multiple times a day will not only help relieve pain but will also help reduce bacteria and will aid in fighting the infection.
5. Find the source causing the infection.
Get your abscess medically examined to eliminate the cause of the infection, even if you are feeling better. The abscess will not go away on its own. You need it examined, drained, and treated.
6. Take antibiotics from your dentist.
Take and finish the antibiotics your dentist prescribes. Monitor your symptoms. Treat the problem by means of a root canal or extraction.
7. Maintain good oral hygiene to keep future abscesses from forming.
A tooth abscess is very serious and can be life-threatening. If you are worried about the financial aspect and do not have dental insurance, do not worry. You can often find a free and/or low-cost dental clinic in or around your area. Additionally, most dentists only charge $100 (or less) to simply pull a tooth, which is a small price to pay when it can be the very thing that saves your life.
Request a dental check-up online in our Fort Lauderdale dental office here: https://www.smilesbyjulia.com. Call us at (954) 271-8034 for more information from Smiles By Julia.
If you have a toothache causing terrible pain, you may need to visit the emergency dentist. Minor toothaches can be adequately controlled with home treatments and over-the-counter toothache solutions, so you may not need to see an emergency dentist.When dealing with a toothache, the underlying reason and symptoms indicate whether emergency dental treatment is necessary.…
An emergency dentist is a great resource to use when something urgent occurs. They are essentially general dentists trained for emergency situations, such as a knocked-out tooth or severe toothache.There is much to know about emergency dentists, and we are here to help! Below, we go over frequently asked questions regarding emergency dental visits. This…
Both an emergency dentist and a general dentist are trained to provide dental services to patients in need, whether that be for urgent issues or simple routine care. However, each dentist is different in a few ways. Understanding how these two dental professionals differ can be helpful to someone who is not sure whom to turn…
A visit to an emergency dentist will likely result in a few follow-up appointments with a general dentist. Emergency dentists are able to stop initial bleeding, swelling or pain. However, they are not necessarily responsible for long-term treatment. Instead, a general dentist will take care of follow-up procedures and check-up appointments.Learning about the treatments and…