A person with a widespread bacterial infection will require intravenous antibiotics at the hospital. They may also require surgery to remove tissues that have become severely damaged by the infection. A tooth abscess is a collection of pus that forms in response to contracting a bacterial infection inside the tooth, gum, or jaw.
Tooth abscesses can develop due to tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma to the mouth. Without treatment, the bacterial infection that causes the abscess can spread to other parts of the body. This can cause serious complications. A person who experiences symptoms of a tooth abscess should see their dentist as soon as possible. With the right care, it is possible to treat both the abscess and its underlying cause.
Good oral hygiene and regular dental cleaning can help prevent a tooth abscess from forming. A dental or tooth abscess is a buildup of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. An abscess is usually caused by a bacterial infection that is often…. Tooth decay causes the breakdown of the enamel on a person's tooth.
Learn more about tooth decay, its causes, and how to treat it here. Many home remedies can prevent cavities or stop them at a very early stage. Find out more about causes, preventive strategies, and when to see a…. A dead tooth is one that no longer receives any blood flow. It is caused by either decay or injury. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment.
Brown spots can form anywhere on the teeth, including between teeth or on the tooth surface. These brown or yellowish stains can result from dental…. What to know about the stages of tooth decay and abscesses. Your doctor can use your dental X-ray to determine whether your gum abscess has resulted in bone loss. Depending on the extent of bone loss, your dentist may choose to extract a tooth.
They may also recommend a procedure to regenerate lost bone or gum tissue. A gum abscess can sometimes affect the pulp, which is the center of the tooth.
The pulp is made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. If the pulp is affected, you may need a root canal to remove the damaged section of the tooth. In addition to these dental procedures to remove and treat infection, your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics can help with swelling if your dentist is unable to completely drain the abscess.
This medication can also prevent reoccurrence and stop the infection from spreading to other areas of your body. If you experience pain, your dentist can prescribe pain medication.
To reduce pain and sensitivity until you see a dentist, rinse your mouth with warm salt water or take over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. If left untreated, the infection can spread deeper into the gum tissue and affect surrounding teeth and bones. This can cause increased pain and swelling, and the infection could travel to other parts of your face and body.
In rare cases, a gum infection can travel to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening complication known as sepsis. Sepsis symptoms include:. Practice good oral hygiene to prevent a gum abscess. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis. Brush your teeth two to three times a day, particularly after meals.
This reduces the amount of plaque that accumulates on your teeth and under the gum line. Also, floss at least once a day to remove food and plaque stuck in the gums.
Make sure you schedule regular dental cleanings. Get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. Your dentist can observe the health of your teeth and gums, and diagnose oral problems early to prevent disease and infections. Shop for toothbrushes and dental floss. With early treatment, the outlook for a gum abscess is positive. Your dentist can drain the pus and remove the infection, reducing the risk of complications.
But if left untreated, a gum abscess can worsen and lead to a potentially life-threatening infection. A gum biopsy is a procedure that removes gum tissue for analysis in a laboratory. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontitis and can be treated and managed with oral care. Periodontitis requires more intervention and…. Swollen gums are a common occurrence when you're new to braces, but it could be also be a sign of gum disease.
Gum pain is an annoying issue that happens for a number of reasons. If you do not keep your teeth clean, acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can damage your teeth and gums, leading to tooth decay or gum disease. You can reduce your risk of developing dental abscesses by keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Read more on how to keep your teeth clean and dental check-ups. Page last reviewed: 05 February Next review due: 05 February Dental abscess.
They can sometimes spread to other parts of the body and make you ill. Symptoms of a dental abscess Symptoms of an abscess in your tooth or gum may include: an intense throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum that may come on suddenly and gets gradually worse pain that spreads to your ear, jaw and neck on the same side as the affected tooth or gum pain that's worse when lying down, which may disturb your sleep redness and swelling in your face a tender, discoloured or loose tooth shiny, red and swollen gums sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature fever and feel generally unwell.
What to do if you have a dental abscess You should see a dentist as soon as possible if you think you have a dental abscess. Avoid visiting a GP, as there's little they can do to help. Find out about NHS dental charges Relieving pain from a dental abscess While you're waiting to see a dentist, painkillers can help control your pain. Aspirin should not be given to children under This is safe for adults, but not for children under It may also help to: avoid hot or cold food and drink if it makes the pain worse try eating cool, soft foods if possible, using the opposite side of your mouth use a soft toothbrush and temporarily avoid flossing around the affected tooth These measures can help relieve your symptoms temporarily, but you should not use them to delay getting help from a dentist.
0コメント