Treatment for dental abscesses
Treatment of a dental abscess must be carried out quickly in order to minimize the chances of spreading the infection and its possible complications; which could lead to oral surgery.
What are dental abscesses?
A dental abscess is nothing more than the accumulation of pus at the root of a tooth, due to an infection that spread from the dental piece to the surrounding tissues.
In particular, abscesses in the mouth can occur in different areas of the dental piece depending on their causes. There are three types:
Periodontal abscess: Which develops in the gums, next to the root of the tooth.
Periapical abscess: It occurs at the tip of the root and within the bone, and is caused by untreated dental caries, an injury, or a previous root canal.
gum abscess: It manifests itself in the gums and does not affect the dental piece or the bone that joins them.
However, sometimes it is possible to find a combination of some of these types, leading to the naming of other abscesses; as, for example, the endo-periodontal.
Symptoms of dental abscesses
Obviously, the signs and symptoms produced by a dental abscess are painful and overwhelming. Among them are the following:
Fever
Undoubtedly, a characteristic symptom of any infectious process is fever; which can vary its intensity as the infection progresses.
Swelling on the cheek and face
In the same way and as a result of the infection, the inflammation in the affected area can extend to the point of producing difficulty breathing or swallowing.
discomfort when swallowing
Whereas a dental abscess causes swelling of the neck and lymph nodes; the action of swallowing can involve great discomfort, even if it is only saliva.
tooth mobility
The feeling that the teeth are loosening or moving is a fairly common symptom among these patients.
Tenderness when biting or chewing
Abscesses in the mouth activate the nerve endings and, in addition to generating a sensitive bite, accentuate the perception of changes in hot or cold temperatures.
Intense pain
Which in addition to annoying and sometimes desperate; it is usually throbbing, intense and constant.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
The spread of the infection to all the surrounding structures affects the closest lymph nodes.
Unpleasant odor and taste
The accumulation of pus inside the abscess causes the patient to experience a foul taste and smell that even he himself can perceive. It can also happen that the abscess ruptures and suddenly floods the mouth with salty liquid, which is unpleasant, but in turn relieves the pain.
Red and swollen gums
The sensitive gingival area that is affected by a dental abscess will obviously be red and inflamed.
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Treatments for a tooth abscess
In the same way that it happens with many other infections, the treatment of dental abscesses is based on antibiotics and specific procedures that help to get rid of the infection. Below is a brief description of each of them.
Drainage of the abscess
As soon as the dentist decides to do the drainage, he will start with a small cut that will allow the pus to escape, and then proceed to clean it with saline solution. A rubber drain is often used to hold the incision open until drainage is complete and swelling decreases.
antibiotic-therapy
When the infection has spread to nearby teeth, it's almost a given that your oral health specialist will recommend antibiotic treatment for abscessed teeth. Similarly, in the presence of a weakened immune system, antibiotics may also be necessary.
tooth extraction
If in the previous review the specialist observes that the dental piece cannot be saved, he will choose to perform an extraction and drain the abscess to eliminate the infection.
root canal treatment
On the other hand, it is possible to eliminate the infection without having to extract the dental piece, applying a root canal.
To do this, the specialist drills the tooth, removes the central tissue (pulp) and drains the abscess. The canal is then filled and sealed.
Causes of tooth abscess
As a result of multiple case studies; Among the main causes that produce dental abscesses we find the following:
dental fractures: Whether due to bruxism or some strong impact, the cracks in the roots of the teeth allow the entry of bacteria that give way to a dental abscess.
gum inflammation: When this condition is present in the gums, food debris accumulates between it and the tooth, developing a process of decomposition and infections.
Wisdom teeth: At the beginning of its outbreak, the gums are exposed and also become prone to accumulate food residue; which later produce inflammation, suppuration or a dental abscess.
Periodontal disease: It is the main cause of dental abscesses, since the pockets with calculus, tartar and bacteria cause an inflammatory exudate that produces pus.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking contributes to the appearance of infection inside the mouth and the appearance of dental abscesses.
Poor oral hygiene: When toothbrushing is not done correctly, it could be said that we allow the growth and development of more bacteria and germs in our mouth; which gives way to any type of infection.
Bad nutrition: An unbalanced diet, rich in sugar, accompanied by poor brushing, will consequently produce dental caries that can become complicated until the development of a dental abscess.
How to prevent dental abscesses?
Undoubtedly, the main task to maintain the good health of your mouth is to prevent the appearance of cavities.
For this, it is necessary to follow a meticulous oral care routine that includes tooth brushing with the appropriate technique, brush and toothpaste, at least 3 times a day.
Likewise, it is important to go regularly to the dentist, to review the state of our oral health and detect any disorder that must be treated. Among the most common recommendations to improve dental cleaning are:
Use dental floss to clean between the teeth.
Maintain a healthy diet by avoiding sugary foods and drinks.
Use fluoride toothpaste, certified by the dental association.
Use fluoride mouthwash after each brushing.
Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth clean of debris.
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