A dental abscess is characterized by sudden onset of tooth pain, swelling, and pus discharge. These symptoms are caused by bacterial growth in the teeth or gums. Dental abscesses are often very painful and can sometimes be dangerous. What exactly is it? How to cure toothache quickly? Follow our advice to learn how to properly treat a dental abscess.
Dental Abscess: Definition, Causes and Symptoms
Dental abscess: what is it?
A dental abscess is a bacterial infection that causes pus to build up in the teeth or gums. Often, dental abscesses are a complication of untreated tooth decay.
The following are other possible causes:
dental trauma;
Injuried;
gum disease;
Wisdom tooth infection.
How to recognize a periodontal abscess?
The most typical symptom of a dental abscess is a sharp stabbing pain in the tooth or gum. Pain may radiate to the ear, jaw, or neck on the same side as the affected tooth.
Without treatment, other symptoms may occur:
swelling of the gums or cervical glands;
a bad taste in the mouth;
Difficulty opening your mouth, moving your tongue, and swallowing;
Fatigue, fever, insomnia.
Tooth abscess? Go through the dentist box!
Treating a dental abscess starts with picking up the phone and making an appointment as soon as possible. Sometimes even an emergency, especially if there are signs of a more widespread infection:
if the temperature is high;
If the face is swollen.
It is also an emergency in the event of a disease that reduces immunity:
if a person has diabetes;
if you are receiving immunosuppressive therapy (organ transplantation, autoimmune disease);
if you are receiving chemotherapy;
If you are HIV positive.
For some heart problems, such as damaged valves, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Periodontal Abscess: What to Do While Waiting for the Dentist?
Our practical advice for dental abscesses
Start by taking the pain reliever paracetamol (or acetaminophen).
Do not take anti-inflammatories, as they may make the infection worse.
Apply a local anesthetic gel to the painful area for pain relief.
Natural remedies: If numbing gel is not available, put cloves in your mouth on the painful area (numbing and antibacterial effect). Carefully wash cloves with water before use.
You can also give an infusion (soak 3 cloves in boiling water for 10 minutes) and then gargle with this preparation (pour the liquid on the painful area).
Use clove essential oil (1 drop in a tablespoon of cooking oil) and brush the sores with a cotton swab.
Homeopathy: Pyrogenium 7 CH: 2 capsules every 3 hours. Calendula 5 CH: 2 capsules 3 times a day. Hepar Sulfur 15 CH: One dose has no effect on Pyrogenium (after at least 2 hours).
Apply an ice pack to the cheek where the pain is. Note, put a cloth between the skin and the ice pack and don’t leave it on for too long to avoid frostbite (no more than 10 minutes)! Then replace it as soon as the skin has warmed slightly.
Make a mouthwash with baking soda dissolved in water (use one teaspoon for a glass of water).
Continue to brush your teeth morning and evening, using a very soft toothbrush.
Do not chew the side of the abscess.
Do not use dental floss or an interdental brush on the side of the abscess.
Don’t take antibiotics out of your first aid kit.
Tooth Abscess: What Does a Dentist Do?
examination procedure
He will examine you and possibly do X-rays.
It anesthetizes you (yuck!).
He removed the abscess.
It cleans the root canal area of ​​the tooth by removing infected tissue.
He blocks the canal by placing a paste in place to prevent the abscess from reforming.
If necessary and the infection has spread, he will prescribe an antibiotic such as amoxicillin.
When the abscess is large, the dentist may have to extract the tooth.
Note that toothache or gum pain is not necessarily a dental abscess. There are many kinds of toothaches.
