One of the main reasons why anyone goes to a dentist is because of the pain they are feeling. Usually the reason is due to a tooth abscess. This is when you are feeling sheer pain in your tooth and it just won’t go away.
Now this pain can be due to a number of reasons. It is something which can even detect a serious problem.
See these toothaches can be very painful. It makes it hard for you to concentrate on anything else. You know how your teeth actually have plenty of nerves. This is why when you are getting a toothache, it can be extremely painful.
But if the pain is so much that it is keeping you up at night and it is continuously throbbing then there must be some serious concerns there. An abscessed tooth is when you might be suffering from an infection also.
This infection happens from the inner chamber of the tooth which is called the pulp chamber. It is where your vessels and nerves are. This then spreads across the whole tooth.
In this article, I am going to be sharing all the details that you need to know regarding this condition. And ways in which you can actually mend it as well.
So let’s start:
What is Tooth Abscess?
This happens when there is pocket of pus which is leading to bacterial infection in the mouth. It can happen in your mouth for various reasons. A periapical is one which happens when there is a cavity in the mouth which has been left untreated. This leads to the tooth’s condition even getting worse.
Your dentist will now have no choice but to treat this tooth abscess by actually draining it and removing what is causing the infection.
In certain cases, it might be possible to save the tooth by performing a root canal procedure on it. However in others, if the damage is far too much, no option is left but just to pull it out.
If you are actually suffering from the abscess condition, it is best to have it treated as soon as possible. If you don’t, in some cases, you may have to suffer from complications and even life-threatening complications. So it is wise to make the right move at the right time.
Now let’s talk about the certain symptoms you will be facing when suffering from this condition.
Symptoms of Tooth Abscess
- One is your tooth will turn into this dark color. It is actually quite more visible in darkness as compared to those that are surrounding it. Also this is because of the necrotic pulp which actually causes for the upper tooth layer to be impacted by a heavy discoloration. When this happens, your tooth will not be paining at this time though.
- The second step or advancement in this condition happens when you start to feel pain when you are eating something. This is basically when something is pressing on the tooth. It is actually the abscess which is spreading from the root tip onto all the structures of the mouth, including your gum and bone structure. The pain gradually increases with time. It begins with a small sting but eventually becomes so throbbing that you will not be able to manage it with pain medications. This is because of the infection which continues to spread across your mouth.
- Also you will most likely be suffering from a swelling also. This happens in the gum tissue. And it is because of the pus which starts to fill in. This raised swelling is what makes it look like what we can a pimple. It is near to the affected tooth area. At this point you will also be having a bad taste and even bad odor in the mouth.
- When things are left untreated till now, you will be now having a swelling of the face as well as the jaw area. It is when you have a surrounding of lymph nodes. And this often means that the infection is actually growing. By this time, the jaw pain is also extensive in the mouth. And it will continue to grow with time.
Do We Face Symptoms in the Same Way
While I have listed out some of the most common symptoms which continue to get worse as your disease deepens and gets even more worse, but the fact of the matter is that in many cases, the symptoms may not even be present at all.
This is due to the reason that your teeth are now losing their complete vitality. And this means they cannot feel the stimuli anymore.
And when this takes place, it means that the abscess is still present and it is potentially even more harmful as it continues to spread across your teeth.
The dental infection will be now even worse and you would need immediate medical attention to ensure it is not become life-threatening. As it is quite possible that you may suffer from the same.
So how does your doctor know you have a severe form of tooth abscess? Let’s check out the diagnosis process:
Diagnosis of Tooth Abscess
Your primary care provider will first analyze whether you are actually suffering from the signs and symptoms which relate to this condition.
If you are, then they will refer you to a specialist doctor to ensure that the proper diagnosis is done.
When the simple symptoms will be identified, then there will be certain tests and exams done by your dentist. In doing so, your dentist will likely be making use of what we call dental radiographs. These mean X-rays in the simplest language.
When the proper diagnosis is done and it is clear that you are in fact suffering from tooth abscess, then comes the treatment process.
Treatment of Tooth Abscess
So now that we know you are indeed suffering from this condition, what is the next step?
Naturally it comes down to how you will get the treatment.
The treatment actually focuses on ways to first clear the infection and then how to relieve the pain. It all depends on the severity of your symptoms. But the procedure begins with getting a dental X-ray. It allows the dentists to get an idea on whether the infection is actually spreading across other areas.
The treatment options consist of :
Drain the abscess- the first step is when your dentist will make a cut and remove and drain out the pus. This is then followed by the act of cleaning the area using a saline solution.
Next step is when you will have a root canal This is basically the drilling process in which the abscess is taken out. And the infected pulp is also taken care of.
Then your dentist will move onto filling and also sealing the pulp chamber. This is what holds the pulp.
In most cases, your dentist will put a cap on your tooth. This is what we call adding a crown and this will strengthen it even further.
The dental crown fitting is done in a separate appointment. Because for this, your tooth’s precise size and look will be taken into account. And this is done through dental impressions.
Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
In some cases, if the tooth is too damaged, you will need to have the tooth completely taken out. This is done before the draining of the abscess. Tooth extraction is a quick process but you will need to follow the precautions to ensure that the healing is done in the rightful way.
In some cases, the abscess is happening because of a foreign object in the mouth and your dentist will take care of it, simply by removing it.
Complications to Look Out For
When it comes to the condition of your tooth, know that tooth abscess will not just go away on its own. The abscess’s condition can worsen. It can even rupture and when it does, the pain might become less. However this doesn’t mean that you should not be getting the treatment. The condition can worsen and the infection can also spread onto your jaw as well as other areas like your neck and even head. So its best that you get treatment immediately for the same.
Now let’s talk about some of the prevention tactics:
Prevention of Tooth Abscess
Tooth decay is something which can lead to complications. It is best that you stop it right there before the condition worsens. And for that, there are a few simple tactics you need to follow:
Start making use of fluoridated drinking water
Aim to brush your teeth twice a day and that too with a fluoride toothpaste
It is best to make use of dental floss. As this cleans between the teeth.
You should always replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or when you feel the bristles are completely ruined
Aim to eat healthy food
Limit the amount of sugary products from your diet
Also get professional cleaning done every six months
Using mouth rinse is really effective as it also adds an extra layer of protection against the tooth decay
