Having a dental problem might seem insignificant, but has many after-effects. Leaving a dental problem untreated can end up incurring a lot of expenses and significant pain as well. One of the common dental problems that people experience is dental abscess. If you suffer from this problem, it is recommendable to seek a dentist. La Puente Emergency Dentist offers credible dental services to anyone who has a dental abscess and other dental problems.

Definition of Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that results from bacterial infections. The pus accumulates in the soft pulp of the tooth or the part of the mouth that is affected. Bacteria starts by forming a plaque, which is a by-product of the food, saliva, and bacteria present in the mouth. These elements stick to the teeth and gums, causing the damage.

If one does not remove the plaque through proper and regular brushing or flossing, the bacteria might end up spreading to the tooth’s soft tissues and gums, leading to an abscess.

Types of Dental Abscess

There are several types of dental abscess. These abscesses are as follows:

  • Periapical Abscess: This type of abscess forms at the apex or tip of the root of a tooth. It results from a localized and chronic infection.
  • Periodontal Abscess: This kind of abscess is also referred to as a parietal or lateral abscess. It is a collection of pus in the periodontal tissues. This kind of discharge occurs near the tooth and is different from others. It is associated with the existing tooth.
  • Gingival Abscess: This kind of abscess involves the gum tissues and does not affect the tooth or the periodontal ligament.
  • Pericoronal abscess: In this kind of sore, the soft tissues surrounding the crown of the teeth get affected.
  • Combined abscess: This is a combined abscess that affects the periodontics and endodontics.

Symptoms of Dental Abscess

Several signs explain possible dental abscess. Common symptoms that a patient suffering from a dental abscess can experience are as follows:

Pain

A patient might experience pain in the affected tooth and experience a lot of pain when chewing. Besides that, one might experience a throbbing toothache that radiates to the jaw, neck, or ear. The pain might also express itself when you lie down.

Swelling

You might experience swelling at the base of the tooth, gum, or the cheek. In severe abscess, the swelling might spread to the buccal space and cause deformation of the cheek if it lasts for three days. It might appear painless but still requires attention. In extreme cases, the tooth abscess may perforate the bone and start draining to the surrounding tissues, which creates a local facial swelling. The lymph glands located in the neck might also swell and become tender as a response to the infection.

The pain might appear to be a migraine if it transfers to the affected area. However, the pain does not transfer to the face, but only appears upwards or downwards since the nerves serving each side are separate.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is a type of discomfort that results from different factors. These factors include:

  • Hot beverages and food.
  • Cold food and beverages.
  • Sweet beverages and food.
  • Cold air.
  • Acidic beverages and foods.

If you are experiencing sensitivity to such factors, there might be high chances of a tooth abscess.

Bad Taste

Bad taste occurs when one has brushed his teeth and has different descriptions in every person. Some people might experience a sour taste, metallic, or plain funky taste.

Fever

A fever is also referred to as high temperature. It is not an illness but a symptom of an underlying condition. It has an association with physical discomfort and will go away when the tooth abscess is treated.

Apart from the symptoms stated-above, other types of symptoms that an abscessed dental patient might experience are:

  • Swollen, red gums.
  • Facial redness.
  • Foul taste in the mouth.
  • Difficulty in breathing.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Chills.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Cavities.
  • Pus drainage.
  • Difficulty opening the mouth.

Causes of Dental Abscess

As described above, tooth abscess occurs when a bacteria invade the tooth pulp. The pulp contains the blood vessels, connective tissues, and blood vessels. The bacteria usually enters through a dental cavity, a chip or crack on the tooth and spreads down to the root.

Although the bacteria will enter the dental pulp through a crack or a cavity, several factors can increase the risk of the dental problem. These factors are as follows:

Poor Dental Hygiene

If you do not brush or floss regularly and adequately ( preferably twice every day), you can significantly increase the risk of further oral and dental complications such as tooth abscess.

High Sugar Diet

Taking too much sugar can be bad for your body and teeth. Foods such as sodas and sweets have high sugar content, causing cavities which quickly turns out to tooth abscesses and infections.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the tissue that holds the teeth. It also risks the growth of bacteria as they are the leading cause of tooth abscess.

Partially Impacted or Erupted Teeth

If a tooth does not come out or emerges partially, such a situation is usually referred to as impacted. This is common with the wisdom teeth, which are the last to erupt. An impacted tooth remains stuck into the gum tissues due to reasons such as overcrowding. A partially erupted tooth can cause dental abscess by trapping food and other debris and sticking around the tissues, which eventually lead to an abscess if left untreated.

Dental Trauma

Dental injury can be a minor fracture to the enamel or the dentin of the tooth in a worst-case scenario. A more severe dental trauma might end up exposing the pulp. In such a situation, there is a high possibility of bacteria entry to the pulp. This might lead to tooth abscess if left untreated for a long time.

Excess Wearing of the Occlusal

Teeth occlusal is a type of tooth wear that results from contact of the teeth. It occurs on the occlusal surface and is usually considered as part of aging. In excessive wear of the occlusal, the dentin might be exposed, which increases the possibility of tooth infection. If the tooth gets infected, this might lead to a tooth abscess.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is the lack of proper nutrients. This can negatively affect the mouth and increase the risk of oral related diseases such as gum disease. As a result, one can get teeth abscess if the gum disease is not treated promptly.

Age Extremes

As a person grows old, there are specific changes that one experiences. Some of these changes include:

  • Renewal of the cells at a slower rate.
  • Reduction of the density and strength of the bones.
  • Thinning of the tissues.
  • The weakening of the immune system, which increases the chances of infection.

Due to the factors provided above, there are chances of incurring problems such as dry mouth, which plays the highest role in causing tooth infection. When one gets a dry mouth, there is a lack of saliva, which has a significant role in maintaining the health of the mouth. Therefore, in such a situation, there is a risk of getting a tooth abscess in case of an infection.

Radiation Caries

Radiation caries are referred to as tooth decay that arises from radiation-induced dry mouth or xerostomia. The increased incident of a tooth decay results from the radiation of the salivary gland rather than the individual tooth.

When a patient receives one or more radiation treatment on the salivary gland, there are chances of radiation susceptibility in the area of exposure. As a result, one will experience the inability to produce saliva, which is essential in keeping bacteria off the mouth. Due to the reduced saliva production, there are high chances of incurring tooth decay, which turns out to an abscess after staying long without treatment.

Certain Medication

Some types of medication, especially antihistamine, can lead to reduced saliva production in the mouth. Antihistamines block the histamine receptors and reduce the allergic reaction. However, such a situation can lead to dry mouth due to reduced saliva production. Such a situation promotes tooth infection, which, as a result, causes tooth abscess. Other drugs that might lead to issues with oral health include blood pressure and cancer medication.

Poor Root Canal Treatment

A tooth that was previously treated with a root canal can develop an abscess over time. This usually results from poor sealing of the tooth, which causes its fracture. Therefore, the fracture exposes the pulp to infection, increasing the possibility of tooth abscess.

Other Health Issues

If you are suffering from autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, there are high chances of getting a dental abscess. Such conditions slow down the immunity of a person, which increases the possibility of tooth infection, resulting in tooth abscess if one does not manage the infection on time.

Diagnosis of Dental Abscess

Once you experience the above-stated symptoms, you should seek medical intervention. When a dentist is treating you, he or she will determine your diagnosis based on the signs and symptoms that you report, exam and test, and visual dental radiography such as x-rays.

Evaluation of Your Signs and Symptoms

When a dentist has to assess your signs and symptoms, there are several factors that he or she must consider. Most of the signs and symptoms associated with tooth abscess are similar to other dental problems. However, one of the significant signs that show whether one has a dental abscess is the presence of pus. In most cases, experiencing a throbbing pain inside your tooth or affected area might be a possible sign of discharge.

Also, if your gum is swollen and red, this might strongly indicate a possible formation of abscess inside the tooth or the gum.

Exam and Test

During the examination process, the dentist will probe your suspicious tooth with a dental instrument. If the tooth has an abscess, you must feel pain when the dentist taps it with the probe. The dentist will also ask whether you are experiencing any pain when asked to bite down and tightly close your mouth.

Radiography

The two main types of radiography include an X-ray and CT scan. In an X-ray, the dentist will take an X-ray of the tooth area and check whether the infection has spread to other regions leading to their abscessing. On the other hand, a CT scan checks whether the infection has spread to the cheek and other parts of the mouth.

Preparation for Your Dental Appointment

You should prepare for your dental appointment to ensure that it is successful. Most dental abscesses grow to such extent due to anxiety and refusal to seek medical appointments. Here are a couple of considerations you should make when preparing for your dental visit.

Research Your Options

Before you proceed with your dental appointment, you should do some research about the dentist about to visit. If you consider an experienced dentist, there are chances of getting remarkable services since such experts know how to deal with anxiety. It is easier to determine whether a particular dentist matches your expectations if you go through their website. Once you are confident of the right dentist, you can proceed into choosing him or her.

It is also necessary to look for a dentist who can communicate. Acute conditions such as dental abscess might be hard to explain, but with a dentist who is easy to communicate, you can manage to express yourself clearly. Failing to provide transparent information might lead to a poor diagnosis, which in turn leads to wrong treatment. This will lead to additional expenses until the dentist makes the right diagnosis.

Do Not Adjust Your Dental Hygiene

Most people who have never been to a dentist usually start to cram as the appointment nears. Therefore, they end brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash more than the usual duties. In this situation, you can end up harming your teeth rather than maintaining a healthy mouth.

It is better to stick to your regular dental routine, which includes brushing twice every day and flossing. Sticking to the routine maintains honesty with your dentist and will encourage better habits before your appointment. However, you should brush and floss before your dental visit to ensure that the meeting goes smoothly.

Adopt Calming Techniques

If you are scared of your dentist, adopting a few calming techniques can be a suitable procedure. One of the most natural processes that you can choose is bringing along your headphones and listening to your favorite playlist. A calming playlist would work best while the dentist is working on your teeth.

Focusing on mediation or visualization can also be an excellent remedy for your anxiety. Finally, you can request your dentist for sedation if you cannot withstand the pain that results from treating without any sedation.

Adopt Mindful Breathing

If you suffer from dental anxiety, breathing exercises will help you maintain your calm. If you have to drive to the dental office, you can practice relaxation of your breath. Practice deep, slow breathing to increase the rate of oxygen flow and calm your entire body. You should also practice mindful breathing while at the dentist’s chair will keep you calm and avoid any distractions.

Do Not Forget to Eat

Most people assume that one should not eat before visiting a dentist, but that is not true. Skipping your breakfast before a dentist appointment will only make you light-headed and overstimulate your saliva glands to make it difficult for a dentist to treat your dental abscess. Eating a good meal will help you remain calm and relaxed and probably have you wait afterward after the treatment.

Have a List of Questions to Ask the Dentist

It is recommendable to have a list of questions that you can pose to your dentist. Such a consideration will help you evaluate the kind of services that the dentist will deliver. Some of the questions that you can pose to your dentist include:

  • What would be the reason behind my symptoms or conditions?
  • What type of tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action that suits my condition?
  • What are the alternative approaches to your primary approach that you are suggesting?
  • Is there a need to see a specialist?
  • What are the restrictions that I will follow?

As much as you expect to pose several questions to your dentist, there are a few things that you expect from the dentist. Your dentist will pose several questions as part of your evaluation. These questions are as follows:

  • When did you begin to experience the symptoms?
  • Have you experienced any trauma to your dental work or teeth?
  • Do your symptoms remain continuous or infrequent?
  • Is there any improvement with your symptoms?
  • Do the symptoms seem to be worsening?

Treating Dental Abscess

The objective of treating an abscess is removing the infection. This can be accomplished in the following ways:

Opening the Tooth and Draining the Pus

In this approach, the dentist makes a small incision into the abscess and allows the pus to drain out. The dentist will then instruct you to drain out the area with salty water. Occasionally, the dentist might require you to use a small rubber to drain the place and keep the space open to allow the drainage.

Root Canal

A root canal can help in doing away with the infection and save the tooth. The dentist will drill your tooth and remove the diseased pulp, which drains the abscess. The dentist will then fill the fill and seal the root canals and the tooth’s pulp. If the tooth is capped with a crown, it will remain firmer, especially if it is a back tooth. Once you take care of the tooth appropriately, it will last for a lifetime without any complication.

Extract the Affected Tooth

If the affected tooth has a severe infection, the only way to save it would be its removal. In such a situation, the dentist will pull the tooth, drain the abscess, and do away with the infection.

Antibiotics Prescription

If you are experiencing a limited infection, the dentist might instruct you may not require any antibiotics prescription. If the infection has spread to the nearby teeth, jaw, or the other areas, the dentist will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the spreading. The dentist can also prescribe antibiotics if you have a weakened immune system.

Home Remedies for Tooth Abscess

Before you set out to visit a dentist, you should adopt relevant measures to relieve your pain. In such a case, you can choose a couple of home remedies to relieve your pain. These remedies are as follows:

Saltwater Rinse

Saltwater rinse is the most affordable option that anyone can adopt. It also promotes fast wound healing and maintenance of healthy gum. In this remedy, you only need to use a half teaspoon and half a cup of warm water. All you need to do is rinse the mouth with saltwater and swish for a minimum of two minutes.

Baking Soda

Using baking soda can also be a suitable and affordable option to alleviate tooth abscess pain. It is also a proper way to remove plaque inside the mouth and guarantee some antibacterial properties.

Cold Compress

Using a cold compress can also help in reducing pain and swelling. In this kind of remedy, you only have to place the ice cubes in a dry towel, hold it against your skin, and compress it using fifteen minutes intervals.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be suitable for fighting bacterial infection. It also helps in bleeding gums and reducing plaque. In this consideration, you should mix at least three percent of hydrogen peroxide with water, swish inside your mouth and spit it.

Find La Puente Emergency Dentist Near Me

It can be challenging to deal with a tooth abscess. The best action to handle this situation is by seeking professional dentist intervention. You should seek a dentist who has established an excellent working reputation and credible services. La Puente Emergency Dentist has maintained a reputation of offering reliable services to clients living in La Puente, CA. Contact us at 626-995-1640 to learn more about how we handle Dental Abscess cases.