Nobody wants to have an abscessed tooth, but if you do find yourself in this situation, it is important to know how to handle it. An abscessed tooth can be extremely painful, and if left untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of abscessed teeth, symptoms to look for, and how to get treatment from a dentist. We will also provide some tips on how to care for an abscessed tooth at home.

What is an Abscessed Tooth?

An abscessed tooth is a tooth that has become infected. The infection can be caused by bacteria, and it can spread to the gum tissue and the bone around the tooth. An abscessed tooth is often very painful, and it can cause other symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, and difficulty swallowing. If left untreated, an abscessed tooth can lead to serious health problems like sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition.

Causes of an Abscessed Tooth

A tooth abscess occurs when bacteria invade the dental pulp. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. Mayo Clinic explains that bacteria enter through either a dental cavity or a chip or crack in the tooth and spread all the way down to the root. The bacterial infection can cause swelling and inflammation at the tip of the root.

Risk factors

These factors may increase your risk of a tooth abscess:

• Poor dental habits and care. Not taking proper care of your teeth and gums — such as not brushing your teeth twice a day and not flossing — can increase your risk of dental problems. Problems may include tooth decay, gum disease, tooth abscess, and other dental and mouth complications.
• A diet high in sugar. Frequently eating and drinking foods rich in sugar, such as sweets and sodas, can contribute to dental cavities and turn into a tooth abscess.
• Dry mouth. Having a dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay. Dry mouth is often due to the side effects of certain medications or issues related to aging.

Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth

The most common symptom of an abscessed tooth is pain. The pain is often severe and can radiate to other parts of the head. Other symptoms of an abscessed tooth can include:

• Severe, constant, throbbing toothache that can spread to your jawbone, neck or ear
• Pain or discomfort with hot and cold temperatures
• Pain or discomfort with the pressure of chewing or biting
• Fever
• Swelling in your face, cheek or neck that may lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
• Foul odor in your mouth
• Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief, if the abscess ruptures
• Signs that your tooth infection has spread to other parts of your body, such as fever and swollen lymph nodes

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

How to Treat an Abscessed Tooth

The best way to treat an abscessed tooth is to see a dentist. They will likely prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection. If the abscess is large, they may also recommend a root canal procedure to remove the infected tissue. In some cases, the infected tooth may need to be extracted.

Home Care for an Abscessed Tooth

If you are experiencing this, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are some things you can do at home to ease the pain and keep the infection from spreading.

– Rinse your mouth with warm water several times a day to help reduce pain and swelling.

– Apply a cold compress to your face for 20 minutes at a time to help reduce swelling.

– Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen to help reduce pain and inflammation.

– Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the abscessed tooth.

– Brush and floss your teeth regularly to keep the infection from spreading.

– Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution made by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.

Make an Appointment with Premier Dentistry of Eagle

If you think you may have an abscessed tooth, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. The team at Premier Dentistry of Eagle is here to help. We offer a wide range of dental services, including teeth cleanings, exams, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, implants and more. Contact us today for an appointment!