Abscessed Tooth

Abscessed Tooth Emergency
At Mid Cities Dental, we will take care of all your teeth related problems. Sometimes a tooth can become infected. Tooth decay is often the culprit of an abscessed tooth; when tooth decay advances deep into the tooth, it can cause destruction of the pulp, the core of the tooth. An abscessed tooth can show up as a painful collection of pus in the gums, teeth, or jawbone. This is caused by a bacterial infection. If this happens to you, it requires immediate treatment by your dentist. It will not go away on its own. If you do not get treatment for this infection, it can spread to other parts of your body.

Serious problems and symptoms to look for with an abscessed tooth:
If you have any of these the first five symptoms, you need to call our office immediately to schedule an appointment.
- Tooth pain when the tooth is touched
- Pain that gets worse when you lay down
- There is a throbbing pain in your tooth or gums that may spread to the jaw, ear, or neck
- There is swelling and redness in your face
- Your gums are swollen, shiny, or red
- Your tooth is sensitive to hot or cold
- One of your teeth becomes loose or discolored
- Fever
- You have an unpleasant taste in the m

What can you do to reduce the pain before you see the dentist?
To reduce pain and swelling at home, you can
- Take an OTC pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 10 to 20 minutes at a time
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water rinses
- Avoid eating hot or cold foods and drinks
- Call us right away to schedule an appointment so that we can give you the proper treatment to take care of the infection
If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, you need to go to the emergency room.

How will your dentist treat an abscessed tooth?
There are a few different options depending on how bad the infection in your tooth is.
At your dental appointment with us, we will examine the area and take X-rays to help us identify if the infection has spread to other areas of your mouth, teeth, gums, or jaw. Then your dentist will make a small cut to the affected area to drain the puss from your gums. Below are the optional steps that will be taken after the initial examination and treatment. These options will be discussed with you in detail before we proceed with any further treatment.
Root Canal
If the infected tooth is the root of the problem then a Root canal treatment is the most common form of treatment for an abscessed tooth. Root canal treatment involves removing the infected tissue, cleansing and sealing the canal of the tooth, and restoring the tooth with a crown.
Tooth Extraction
In some cases, the tooth is too damaged or the infection is too severe. Your dentist may opt to extract the tooth instead and treat the infected area to help prevent the infection from spreading.


Aftercare and Medication:
You may not need antibiotics if the infection is limited to one tooth. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help you fight off the infection-causing bacteria after treatment if the infection has spread to other areas such as your jaw, or nearby teeth, or you have a weakened immune system.
How to take care of yourself after your abscessed tooth treatment:
You will want to gently rinse your mouth with salt water rinses to help with healing. To deal with any pain you may have aftercare, you can take an OTC medication such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
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