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Some Information About Dental Abscess Management

If the inner lining of your mouth becomes abraded or damaged, harmful bacteria will start to multiply. Typically, the infection site will be fairly painful, and fill up with pus. This can happen within one or two days after the infection sets in. Unfortunately, the site will continue to swell up and create an abscess. While the abscess can help prevent the infection from spreading, it will not subside until the pus is drained out.

There are two different types of abscesses that may form in your mouth. First, a periodontal, or gum abscess will form in the gums. It is usually caused when foods gets trapped between gums and teeth. Unfortunately, if you have advanced gum disease, germs will build up much faster than normal.

You may also develop periapical, or tooth abscesses. These tend to occur when the nerve inside the tooth is in the process of dieing. Usually, this type of abscess will be visible in the root area. If left untreated, this kind of abscess can also infect the bone. In some cases, it may also cause other kinds of health problems.

Abscess Management: Why is Procedure Performed?

When an abscess is not treated, the infection will spread out and infect other teeth and gum regions. In some cases, it will form a cyst in the jaw bone. Eventually, this process will create a tunnel, or fistula, and scar tissue. Even though this tunnel will enable pus to flow out, the root of the infection may not resolve. If you notice a pimple like structure in your mouth, have a strange taste, or you notice pus draining, it is very important to see your dentist immediately.

Abscess Management: Patient Concerns to be Addressed

In many cases, the pain associated with abscesses drives individuals to seek treatment as quickly as possible. If you choose to ignore the pain, your situation will only get worse. Even if the abscess is not very large or painful, it is in your best interest to see a dentist and have it taken care of. Once an abscess gets started, it can go on causing misery for months, or even years.

Abscess Management: How is Procedure Performed?

While abscesses can be dangerous, they are surprisingly easy to manage. Once your dentist cleans out the infected area, and drains the pus, you will feel immediate relief. In most cases, the infection will be successfully treated with antibiotics.

In some cases, a periodontal abscess may have already started creating a tunnel. A dentist will use Xrays and other probes to find the infection site, and then take the necessary steps to drain the pus and clean the site. Once the abscess is empty, the fistula will usually close by itself. Typically, if the abscesses are larger, you may also need to have additional treatment for gum disease.

In order to treat an abscess located in a tooth, your dentist may decide to make a small hole that will enable the pus to drain out. Once the tooth is clean, it will require a root canal, and then a filling. Depending on the level of damage to the tooth, it may also need a crown. If the damage is too extensive, your dentist may have to extract the tooth. If the abscess is in the gum, you may have to wait for that infection to subside before proceeding with extraction.

Abscess Management: Post-Operative Concerns

After your dentist drains the abscess, he/she may give you antibiotics and pain killers. In most cases, this will get rid of the infection, as well as keep it from spreading. Depending on the condition of your gums, you may have to go for additional treatment to resolve other diseases.

Abscess Management: Perils of Disease

Even if you think an abscess is small, or manageable, it is a very serious condition. Unfortunately, the germs can spread to other parts of your body and do an enormous amount of damage. Before seeing your dentist, you may want to rinse your mouth with 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a cup of water. While this can help drain the abscess and relieve pressure, you should still follow up with your dentist immediately.