Emergency Dentistry: Warning Signs of Dental Abscess

If you have a tooth abscess, you should seek emergency dentistry treatment. If you do not have it treated, there can be serious consequences on your oral health. Knowing what the warning signs of this condition are can help you avoid long-term health issues. Continue reading to learn more about what this emergency dental condition is.

What is an abscessed tooth?

A tooth abscess is a serious, painful condition. The abscess is a bacterial infection in the patient’s tooth. This causes the tissues around the area to swell and produce pus. It requires immediate attention. The infection happens in the root of the tooth, which contains nerves and connective tissues, as well as blood vessels. In some cases, an abscess happens between the tooth and gum.

Often, the infection stems from advanced tooth damage or decay. This can happen when the tooth is broken or chipped, allowing bacteria to enter the area. An untreated cavity and worn enamel are two other potential causes of the condition. If the patient has had gum disease for a long time, this can be another cause.

The reason this condition is considered a dental emergency is that the infection can spread to the whole body. The infection will go from the tooth’s roots to the bones in the jaw. The tooth may be lost in this case. It can also enter the bloodstream and spread.

Warning signs

It is important to seek treatment at an emergency dentistry facility as soon as possible. That way, the infection is less likely to spread. There are several signs of this condition. The main one is severe pain. Others can include:

• Fever
• Jaw swelling
• Gum swelling and redness
• Tooth pain with dull, throbbing or sharp pain
• Temperature sensitivity of the tooth
• Bad breath
• Open sore in gums
• Bitter taste in the mouth

An abscessed tooth requires emergency dentistry. The patient’s life may be threatened if it is not treated. It is important to visit the dentist as soon as the patient notices one or more warning signs. Patients can often get same-day appointments for this type of condition.

Treating an abscessed tooth

There are several treatments that patients have to choose from. For example, the infection can be drained off. The emergency dentist will make an incision in the area and drain the pus. Then the area may be sanitized with a saline solution. Dead tissue might need to be removed after this procedure.

A patient will likely receive antibiotics for the problem. The antibiotics will help to kill the harmful bacteria. This might also be used to help local anesthetics work better. Otherwise, the anesthetics might be neutralized by the infection.

Choose emergency dentistry today

If you have one or more of the warning signs of a dental abscess, you should contact your dentist. They can help you decide if you should make an emergency appointment. If so, you may receive antibiotics or a root canal. In some cases, the tooth will need to be extracted.

Request an appointment here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com or call Preferred Dental Center at (210) 822-8500 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.

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