Tooth Abscess Treatment • Complications & Prevention
Tooth Abscess Treatment
A dental abscess is always a serious condition because the infection may spread to other parts of the body. Left untreated, an abscess may compromise the immune system and in some cases may become life-threatening.
It's strongly advised to begin the tooth abscess treatment as soon as possible because a smaller abscess is much easier to treat.
Tooth Abscess Pain Relief & Treatment
The type of treatment for a tooth abscess depends on the severity and extent of the infection. While tooth extraction remains an option, it is not the only one as it was until some decades ago. The dentist will always try to save the tooth with endodontic treatment before deciding a tooth extraction.
The goals of tooth abscess treatment are first to relieve the patient from pain, followed by the elimination of the infection and the restoration of the tooth (if possible). The treatment of dental abscesses is performed by a dentist or endodontist and it may require several dental visits.
The dentist will prescribe antibiotics for a few days before starting the treatment of the tooth abscess, especially if there is extensive swelling. However, an antibiotic will not clear the pus or eliminate the infection until the pus is drained. Antibiotics use for a few days after draining the pus could also help to clear any remaining infection.
Pus drainage releases the pressure from the tissues around the tooth abscess, providing a significant relief from the acute pain. Draining the abscess is the first step of the tooth abscess treatment. It can be done either through an opening made through the top of the tooth in case of a periapical abscess or through an incision to the gums in case of a periodontal abscess.
If you can not visit the dentist immediately, you can try the following for temporary pain relief:
Root canal treatment
Performing a root canal therapy (endodontic treatment) can in most cases clear the infection and preserve the tooth. The procedure involves the removal of bacteria and infected tissues from the pulp chamber and the root canals. The tooth is then sealed and restored with a filling or crown. Root canal treatment saves many abcessed teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. It is the most common and effective treatment of dental abscess.
A tooth extraction becomes necessary when the tooth is badly damaged and it can not be saved with a root canal treatment. Modern dentistry considers tooth extraction only as a last option and not as an alternative of root canal treatment. An extracted tooth due to tooth abscess should be replaced with a dental bridge or a dental implant, increasing the overall cost of the treatment. Keeping your natural teeth as long as possible is nearly always the best course of action.
Abscess Tooth Complications
A tooth abscess if detected promptly is usually curable with proper treatment. The tooth can be saved with root canal treatment if its structure is not badly damaged. In some cases, when the tooth infection causes little or no pain, people ignore it and wait for it to go away. If the pus is not drained and the infection is left untreated, serious complications may develop.
A tooth abscess can cause serious health conditions, that in some severe cases may become life threatening. The most common complications of tooth abscesses include:
Tooth abcess symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, are indications of severe tooth abscess complications; see your doctor immediately. In the years before WWII and the discovery of penicillin, it was not uncommon for patients to die from complications of tooth infections.
Abscess Tooth Prevention
Dental abscesses are common in people with poor dental health and result from lack of proper and timely dental care. The best way to prevent dental abscesses is by following good oral hygiene practices along with regular dental cleanings.
The cost of dental treatments can be significant and many patients may not afford it if they are not covered by their dental insurance. Learn how to choose a dental insurance plan that will provide the best dental treatment to you and your family.