Many people wonder what exactly constitutes a dental emergency and when they should seek help if it is after hours. An abscessed tooth can be extremely painful and will require immediate attention from a skilled dentist to determine your next steps. Always seek medical help for an abscessed tooth.
Before you pick up the phone or head to your dental office, you should know what a tooth abscess is, how we treat your infected tooth, and how you can relieve some of the symptoms when you get home. Here’s what you need to know:
What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that appears to be like a bump, boil, or pimple on the interior of your mouth. It is a sign that you have a bacterial infection in your mouth, but it can easily spread to any other part of the body if it is not treated promptly.
In general, there are three infection types of an abscessed tooth:
- Gingival abscess (gums)
- Periapical abscess (tooth root)
- Periodontal abscess (bones and tissues)
A dental abscess can be caused by several things including gum disease, cavities and tooth decay, broken teeth, and any type of tooth injury. You may be more susceptible to an abscess if you have a weakened immune system, are a smoker, or have poor oral hygiene.
Dental abscesses are extraordinarily painful and might have shooting, stabbing, or throbbing pain which may even spread to the entire jaw, down the neck, and up into the ear. As a result, it can be a challenge to determine where the abscessed tooth is located without the assistance of an emergency dentist.
Other symptoms of an abscessed tooth could include temperature sensitivity to hot or cold food, a bad taste in your mouth, bad breath, and gum swelling. If left untreated, you may see swelling extend to the jaw. Of course, you may also find that the pocket of pus starts to ooze, which is a surefire sign of a tooth abscess.
How Quickly Should I Have the Affected Tooth Inspected?
As you have already gathered, an abscessed tooth diagnosed early can eliminate some of the painful effects of an advanced abscess. The best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your local Saskatoon dentist as soon as possible.
Depending on the level of pain, it may warrant an emergency appointment after hours.
The longer you wait to have an abscessed tooth treated, the more likely it is that the infection will spread to other parts of the body which can be very serious. Once you develop mouth pain or any of the symptoms above, book a session with your dentist.
Abscessed teeth will not resolve on their own and can create havoc throughout the body.
In some circumstances, you may need to head to the local emergency room rather than wait for your appointment with a dentist. If you have a high fever, difficulty swallowing, swelling, confusion, or an elevated heart rate, these are all signs you need immediate help and cannot wait for a dentist. Do not take chances with an infection that has spread!
Treatments for a Tooth Abscess
There are no one-size-fits-all solutions for treatment of a tooth abscess. An experienced dentist can accurately assess the progression of the infection and make a call on what the next right move should be for your mouth pain. Dental treatment is key to setting your restored tooth properly on the path to healing.
The dentist will likely make an incision and drain pus from the area. The drain can help rid the tooth of the infection so that affected bacteria can leave the area before spreading to other parts of the body. However, the tooth may not always be able to be saved in its entirety.
Sometimes, a periapical abscess will lead to a need for a full root canal. A root canal is when your dentist removes the infected pulp of the tooth and packs it to prevent complications and further infection in the tooth. This is a long-term solution that will keep dental abscesses from returning.
In extreme situations, a tooth extraction may be the only option. The tooth might be too far gone for a dentist to save, and it could require an implant to replace the empty spot where the tooth once was. Putting off dental treatment can lead to a greater risk of an advanced abscess that requires extraction.
Of course, all of this is usually combined with a round of antibiotics to fight the infection in your mouth. These medications can help prevent spreading while you address the root cause of the abscess, but won’t eliminate the infection altogether. You will need the help of a trained dentist for that.
Relieving the Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth
Unfortunately, there is no way for you to solve a tooth abscess totally on your own. A dentist is going to need to take further action to get the throbbing pain to cease. However, there are a few things you can do on your own at home to relieve some of the symptoms of an abscessed tooth while you wait for an appointment.
You can use warm salt water rinses with a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water. Not only does this provide you with temporary pain relief, but it also promotes healing and can create healthier gums. You can do this two to three times daily for the best results.
While these rinses can help, you will likely still need some over-the-counter painkillers. Tylenol and ibuprofen can be quite helpful while you wait for more comprehensive help.
Book Your Appointment Now
If you have a dental emergency in Saskatoon, you need to know where you can turn. Dental abscesses are a serious issue that requires the help of a skilled dentist. If your abscess ruptures, you will need someone to help you eliminate infection and get the pain under control. Let Dental House help you get the help you need.
Reach out to our warm and welcoming staff to discuss your issue and come see us right away for a dental abscess!