An abscessed tooth is basically an infection that affects the root of any tooth and causes acute pain. This infection might also occur between the tooth and the gum. The primary cause of such an abscessed tooth is tooth decay. Some other causes of abscessed tooth are tooth trauma, like when a tooth breaks or is chipped and in some cases it might be related to gum disease.
This is a dental problem that can cause the tooth enamel to open up, thus allowing the bacteria to cause infection in the center of a tooth, known as the tooth pulp. Such infections are likely to spread from the tooth’s root to our bones as well that supports the tooth.
The Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is accompanied by severe and prolonged pain, which might even result in throbbing or gnawing pain. The pain can also be soothing or sharp at times. These are the first indications of a tooth abscess. Other symptoms of an abscessed tooth include:
- High temperature.
- Pain while chewing food.
- Tooth sensitivity to cold or hot.
- Bitterness of the mouth.
- Bad breath.
- Swelling of the neck glands.
- Discomfort, ill feeling, uneasiness.
- Swelling and redness of the gums.
- Swelling of the upper and lower jaws.
- An open or a draining sore on the gum sides.
If the root of a tooth dies due to such an infection, there might not be any toothache. However, this isn’t a good sign as the infection still remains active and is not healed. It continues to spread itself and damages the tissues. Thus, if you have been experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms, you must see a dentist immediately even if the toothache subsides.
Diagnosing an Abscessed Tooth?
Once you see a dentist, he will probe your infected tooth first and then will check the overall dental condition with instruments. If you actually have a tooth abscess, your dentist will tap the tooth during the investigation and you will feel a continuous pain. Your dentist might ask you a few questions like whether you feel a pain while biting or chewing something, or does your tooth ache while you tightly close your mouth etc. Additionally, your dentist might also suspect a tooth abscess by observing your gums; if it’s red or swollen.
You might also be asked to perform an X-ray of the infected tooth in order to determine bone erosion around the abscess.
Treatment of an Abscessed Tooth
The methods of treating an abscessed tooth are elimination of the infection, preservation of the tooth and prevention of further complications.
In order to get rid of the infection, the dentist might suggest the draining of the abscess. The drainage procedure is carried out by a method of treatment called Root canal. Root canal is a surgery and is recommended by dentists for the eradication of any diseased tooth or tooth tissue and is done only after the infection subsides. After the surgery, a crown is placed over the tooth.
In some cases, the tooth might be extracted, thus allowing proper drainage through the socket.
Lastly, the final way of draining the abscess is incision of the swollen tissue of the gum.
Antibiotics are mostly prescribed for healing the infections that cause tooth abscess. In order to get relief from the pain that is caused due to the abscess, one can use warm salt-water to rinse the effected area and might also take over-the-counter pain relief medicines such as Ibuferon (Motrin or Advil).
The pain and inflammation caused by an abscess can also be relieved with the help of low-level laser thus, making allowing the patient to receive an injection more comfortably and with lesser pain.
Preventing Tooth Abscess
Tooth abscess can be prevented by practicing proper oral hygiene. This can further reduce the development of an infection in the tooth. In case if your teeth experience any trauma (becomes loose or chipped), seek a dentist’s help immediately.
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