An abscessed tooth most likely will not go away on its own. If the symptoms become severe or exist for an extended period of time, then you may need to visit an emergency dentist to promptly treat the dental abscess. There are different treatment options an emergency dentist may recommend to treat an abscessed tooth.
An emergency dentist can treat an abscessed tooth by draining the abscess, removing the infection portion of the tooth root, or by extracting the tooth, depending on how severe the dental abscess is and what other concerns the tooth may have. This review discusses what an abscessed tooth is and how an emergency dentist can treat it.
An abscessed tooth, also called a dental abscess, is a pocket of pus that typically results from a bacterial tooth infection. A tooth infection and subsequent dental abscess can occur when the root of the tooth is exposed, such as when there is deep tooth decay, a tooth crack, and severe gum recession.
Some instances of an abscessed tooth begin with minor symptoms that progressively worsen. An abscessed tooth can become incredibly painful if left untreated for too long. The most notable symptoms of an abscessed tooth include:
It is important to seek emergency dental treatment if any symptoms do not go away within a day or suddenly worsen. Otherwise, the infection could spread to other parts of the mouth and put the long-term health of the tooth in jeopardy.
In many instances, the goal of abscessed tooth treatment is to drain it. This involves the emergency dentist making a small incision into the abscess and allowing the pus to drain. They then cleanse the area with a saline solution. However, draining the dental abscess is not always an option. In some cases, the dentist may recommend a root canal or tooth extraction if the abscess or other issues with the tooth are severe. The dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacterial infection.
The recovery process depends on the method of dental abscess treatment. The patient may need to arrange for a ride home, particularly if the procedure involves the use of an anesthetic. It is also important to keep the mouth clean after an abscessed tooth through good oral hygiene. A diet of soft foods and water may be necessary for a few days after treatment.
Here at our emergency dental practice, we can treat an abscessed tooth to alleviate the pain and prevent severe long-term concerns such as tooth loss. Give us a call today if you are experiencing severe symptoms of an abscessed tooth, and we can guide you through the treatment process.
Are you considering an emergency dentist in the Orange area? Get more information at https://www.rscottsmithdds.com or call us at (714) 332-4737.
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