Dental abscesses are infections of the tooth or gums that are caused by bacteria. They materialise as a collection of pus that can trigger excruciating pain or even systemic symptoms like fever. Since they cannot go away on their own, it is pivotal to be acquainted with the dental abscess symptoms so you can rapidly seek professional help from a dentist. Here is an overview of the different types of dental abscesses, their causes and corresponding treatments.
Types of dental abscess
A dental abscess can be classified into three types, depending on its location. These types are assessed by an emergency dentist with the help of tools like X-rays and other diagnostic tests.
Gum abscess
This abscess is located only on the gum tissue and not on the tooth or its supportive structures, so any treatment should be focused solely on the gums.
Periodontal abscess
An abscessed tooth starts in the space between a tooth and its surrounding bone. This can damage the tooth’s health, potentially causing loss of the tooth if left untreated.
Periapical abscess
A periapical abscess is the most common type of dental abscess, and it is located at the end of the tooth root.
Causes of an abscessed tooth
Causes of an abscessed toothA tooth abscess is caused by bacteria that enter the teeth and gums.
Poor oral hygiene allows these bacteria to multiply and thrive, eventually causing infection and a dental abscess.
The following are reasons, other than poor dental hygiene management, that may cause the development of a tooth abscess:
- Heavy consumption of foods high in sugar
- Trauma or Injury to teeth and gums
- Prolonged gum disease
- Compromised immune system
- Other health issues such as diabetes etc.
- Tooth decay.
What are the symptoms of a tooth abscess?
Because each person’s oral health is different, the symptoms of a dental abscess can vary widely. The infection’s severity, existing oral health problems, and overall well-being all play a role in determining what symptoms will arise.
Throbbing pain on the site of infection
One symptom of an abscessed tooth is pain. At first, the pain will only be near the site of the infection. But as the abscess grows larger, it will spread to other areas and become more intense. If you don’t get treatment for an abscessed tooth, you could end up in a dental emergency. Sometimes the pain gets so bad that sleeping and eating become difficult.
Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth
If you have an abscessed tooth, a pimple-like bump will appear on your gum. Pus—which contains bacteria and has a foul taste, will seep out if you press it. Not to mention, the pus causes a very unpleasant odour on your breath.
Inflammation of the gums
Gums that are swollen and/or bleed easily may be localized in one tooth area or affect the gums all over. Additionally, bleeding gums can also signal a possible abscessed tooth.
Fever with swollen lymph nodes
The infection is more widespread when you have swollen and painful lymph nodes because this means your body is fighting the disease. You may also get a fever as it’s one of your body’s ways to naturally fight any inflammation and abscess.
Swelling of the face
A dental abscess often manifests as facial swelling, especially when the infection is in the upper back teeth and spreads through the bloodstream to different areas of the face and sinus.
In addition to the previously mentioned symptom, other symptoms of a dental abscess include:
- Discomfort when encountering hot or cold food and drinks
- Teeth that feel loose in their sockets
- Headache and ear pain
- Having difficulty breathing
Abscessed tooth treatment
The first line of action once you start observing symptoms of a tooth abscess is to contact your dentist as soon as possible, however, to manage the pain and discomfort during till you see your dentist, you can try these effective home remedies below.
1) Saltwater rinse
By rinsing your mouth with saltwater, you can easily and affordably heal the wound from an abscess. Additionally, this is a useful method for maintaining gum health. If you are looking for temporary relief, saltwater rinses can provide some help.
To make the rinse at home, mix ½ teaspoon of table salt into ½ glass of warm tap water. Swish it around your mouth for 2 minutes, then spit it out. Do this 3 times per day. This homemade remedy can help calm pain even when you’re seeing a dentist for treatment.
2) Baking soda
2) Baking sodaBaking soda is another easy kitchen ingredient relief for plaque in the mouth. It’s also supposed to have antibacterial properties.
Use it by mixing ½ tablespoon of baking soda with salt water and rinse the mixture. Then, swish for 5 minutes in your mouth and repeat till the mixture finishes–repeat two-three times/day as needed.
3) Fenugreek tea
Fenugreek has positive antibacterial properties and is commonly used as a home remedy for healing wounds or reducing inflammation. To make fenugreek tea, heat 1 cup of water in a pan before stirring in 1 teaspoon of ground fenugreek. Allow the mixture to cool before applying a small amount with a cotton ball on the affected area.
4) Cold compress
If you’re looking for relief, opt for a cold compress over a hot one. Ice cubes in a dry towel or cool pack placed against the painful/swollen area can work wonders, just be sure to only place 15 minutes at a time. Heat will actually make things worse, so beware of using anything too hot!
5) Essential oils
Natural remedies using oregano and clove essential oils have been employed for centuries to treat tooth infections. These two oils contain antibacterial/antioxidant properties, as well as anti-inflammatory qualities that help reduce pain and swelling associated with abscessed teeth. Additionally, thyme essential oil is sometimes used in these homeopathic treatments; it is effective in killing parasites and boasts other similar properties.
Essential oils come as concentrated or diluted. If you have the concentrated form, mix a few drops with 1 ounce of carrier oil before using. To apply, soak a cotton ball in the mixture and hold it on the affected area for a few minutes. Let the mixture work for 10 minutes before rinsing off completely.
6) Hydrogen Peroxide
If you’re looking for a natural way to fight bacteria, hydrogen peroxide might be the answer. To use it, mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water. Swish the solution around your mouth before spitting it out several times throughout the day. Just be careful not to swallow any by mistake!
7) Garlic
People have used garlic for its medicinal properties for centuries. It is believed to help reduce pain and kill bacteria.
To make a tooth abscess home remedy: Take some fresh cloves of garlic and mash them into a paste. Rub the paste onto the infected area to get relief from symptoms. Repeat this process multiple times per day until you see results.
8) Oil Pulling
8) Oil PullingThis is an ancient method of treating different mouth ailments that is still effective today. It helps remove toxins from the teeth and gums, and some studies have shown that it can help treat bleeding gums and bad breath, as well as reduce bacteria. Suitable oils for this method include coconut oil, sesame oil, and olive oil. Take 1 tablespoon of your chosen oil into your mouth and swish it around vigorously for 20 minutes before spitting it out into the garbage can (avoid spitting in the sink as it can clog pipes).
What will your dentist do?
The purpose of treatment is to eliminate bacterial infection. Your dentist may:
- Open and drain the abscess – The dentist makes a small incision to allow pus to escape, then washes the area with salt water. A rubber drainage tube may be placed occasionally to keep the area open for drainage while swelling subsides.
- Perform a root canal treatment- It can eliminate your infection and save your tooth. Your dentist first drills down to reach the pulp, removes any diseased tissue, drains the abscess and fills the root canals. If this is a back tooth, capping it with a crown will usually reinforce it. Given proper care, these restorations often last for decades.
- Extract the affected tooth– If the affected tooth is beyond saving, your dentist will pull (extract) it and drain the abscess to get rid of any infection.
- Prescribe antibiotics-If the infection has only reached the abscessed area, you likely won’t need antibiotics. But if it’s spread to surrounding teeth, your jaw, or other areas, your dentist will probably prescribe them to prevent it from progressing. Furthermore, if you have a weakened immune system, your dentist may also suggest antibiotics.
The takeaway
If you’re experiencing any sort of toothache, it’s important that you see a dentist as soon as possible. many people think that they can just wait it out or manage the pain with over-the-counter options, but this will only make the problem worse in the long run. A toothache is often your body’s way of telling you that there’s something wrong, so it’s important to listen to what your body is saying and book an appointment with our professional dental team at Port Macquarie Dental Centre by calling on (02) 6105 9853 to get immediate dental treatment if you’re experiencing an abscessed tooth.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
What is an abscessed tooth?
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/abscessed-tooth
Abscessed tooth: What you need to know
https://www.healthline.com/health/abscessed-tooth
Tooth abscess
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-20350901