One of the most common dental maladies is teeth abscess. Poor dental hygiene, trauma or other injuries is usually the cause, but dentists say, with regular trips to a local dental clinic Norfolk NE, residents could diminish risk factors for a tooth abscess, and the complications that accompany them.
A tooth abscess doesn’t just cause a great deal of pain, but it can also transmit the infection throughout the body, affecting the heart or brain in the most severe cases. Bacteria invades the dental pulp and infects the root, the gums or the bone, but even worse, as it spreads bacteria throughout the mouth, it can slowly lead to more infections and tooth decay.
What Should You Do?
First you should check for any pain. An infected tooth usually triggers localized pain, ranging from mild to severe, depending on the degree of infection. Generally, it will increase to persistent and acute. Some dentists describe it as excruciating, throbbing, or piercing pain that radiates up along the sides of the face, towards the ear, jaw or head.
If the infection destroys the pulp, present in the root of the tooth, the pain could dissipate because the tooth is practically dead. However, it does not mean that the infection stops. It will continue to spread and attack other tissues, making its way to the jaw bone.
Secondly, you should pay attention to any sensitivity. The main symptom of a tooth abscess is dental sensitivity, swollen gums, and pus-filled bumps on the gums. Some sensitivity to heat and cold is normal, however, an infected tooth is very sensitive when it comes in contact with hot and cold substances. For example, if infected, you’ll probably feel a searing pain while you eat hot soup or ice cream, and this searing pain will usually persists even when you’re done eating.
This can compromise the pulp and inflame the whole system of blood vessels and nerves. In most cases the damage is irreversible. The infected tooth can change colors, going from white to grey or brown. This alteration is caused by the death of the internal pulp, because the blood cells are gradually dying.
It is very important to recognize other symptoms, like swelling and secretions of pus. Check if the gums around the tooth have turned red, swollen and sensitive. You may notice some pus-filled nodules near the infected tooth, and up to the root. You may also see white pus in the wound or around the tooth. Your body could react to an infection by increasing your body temperature, so be aware of any fever.
Treating Teeth With An Abscess
A tooth abscess is an infection, so it needs to be treated with antibiotics, and possibly pain medication. Also, any wounds should be drained of the pus to help with healing.
A dental abscess requires timely treatment, before symptoms worsen and the infection continues to spread, creating more oral damage. The only way to contain the damage is by visiting a dentist and starting treatment.