Dental Abscesses: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A dental abscess is a condition of serious oral health, with a localized collection of pus which is mostly caused due to bacterial infection. It may happen in any part of the tooth or gum and needs immediate medical treatment to avoid other complications, as suggested by a dentist in Indianapolis, IN. Through this article, you will learn certain causes of dental abscesses and how they result in such symptoms and prevention or treatment options for residents living nearby to Indianapolis IN.

Causes of Dental Abscesses

Common causes of dental abscesses include tooth decay which has not been treated, periodontal disease, or trauma to the tooth. Failure to maintain an optimal oral hygiene routine allows plaque and tartar laden with a bacterial invader that attacks the teeth and gum tissue. Bacteria can also gain easy access to the dental pulp through cracked or chipped teeth. A weakened immune system, diabetes, or smoking can also increase the risk of infection in a dental abscess.

Symptoms of a Dental Abscess

• Pain: Ongoing sharp, shooting, or throbbing pain in the mouth.
• Redness and Swelling: Red color with inflammation of the gums in the nearby area surrounding that tooth.
• Bad Taste in the Mouth: This is due to pus drainage from tooth abscesses.
• Fever: As the body tries to fight the infection, a fever can be developed.

Diagnosis of a Dental Abscess

The dentist can detect a dental abscess by examining you. The dentist will be informed of the medical history and perform a mouth examination. For example, they may tap on the impacted tooth to determine whether you feel pain. X-rays are also frequently done, so the location and size of the abscess can be identified as well to help determine if it has spread beyond tissues or bone.

How to Treat a Dental Abscess

The main treatment objective with a dental abscess is to get rid of the infection, reduce pain and if possible save the tooth. Treatment options include:

• Antibiotics: These drugs are given to manage the infection and stop it from going throughout your mouth. Unfortunately, these do not heal the abscess Other prerequisite therapies.
• Establishing Drainage: this may be necessary to drain the pus from the abscess for pain and swelling relief.
• Root canal therapy: If an infected tooth is causing the abscess, root canal therapy may save it and remove the infected pulp.
• Extraction: In some cases, when the tooth is not salvageable extraction may be needed to avoid spreading infections.
• Incision and Drainage: Abscesses can form in the gums under certain conditions, an incision will allow your doctor to drain the infected areas and then thoroughly clean them.

Preventing Dental Abscesses

To this end, preventing dental infection abscesses requires a combination of good oral hygiene protocols and routine dentist visits. Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and using an antiseptic mouthwash can prevent plaques from accumulating on the teeth and oral cavity infections. Staying away from sugary foods & drinks, avoiding tobacco products, and drinking plenty of water also help with oral health. Regular dental visits facilitate early identification and intervention of oral medical issues when they are in their infancy before they develop into abscesses.

A dental abscess is extremely painful, and it can be very serious. This means that you will need to get treatment for the pain right away. Residents of Indianapolis need to know why they happen, how you recognize them, and what treatment options are available so that if a dental crisis presents itself: They seek help. Practicing good oral hygiene and having regular dental check-ups can help to lower their risk of developing a dental abscess, as well as other types of oral health problems. If you fear that there may be an abscess in need of attention, reach out to a local expert dentist here in Indianapolis right away and get the relief your mouth needs.