When an infection builds up inside the gums or teeth, pus accumulates and creates a dental abscess. Dental abscesses don’t heal on their own, but with prompt attention from a dental professional, an abscess can be treated and the oral cavity can be restored to health. Some of the signs of dental abscess include an intense ache or pain in one or more teeth or in the gums, visible redness or swelling inside or outside the mouth on the face and jaw, sensitivity to extreme temperatures in the affected area, a bad taste or smell in the mouth, difficulty opening the mouth or chewing, and a feverish temperature.
If you think you have a dental abscess, contact your dentist for an urgent appointment. Explain your symptoms; especially if your temperature is elevated or if the pain is interfering with your ability to breathe, or if swelling or pain radiates and affects your eyes or your ability to see, emergency dental attention is needed. If your symptoms aren’t as severe and you and your dentist decide you can wait for an urgent, non-emergency appointment, there are some approaches that will help you manage pain until you can see your dentist. Painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help you manage pain, and sensitivity or difficulty chewing can be addressed by avoiding very hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks and sticking to a mild diet of soft foods like scrambled eggs or mashed potatoes.
To treat a dental abscess, your dentist will first drain the abscess of accumulated pus. If the abscess is in your tooth, your dentist will assess whether the tooth can be saved or if the damage is too significant and requires a tooth extraction. If the prognosis for saving your tooth seems good, your dentist will provide a root canal treatment, using a local anesthetic to reduce pain. They will clean out the infected area of the tooth, treating the tooth’s interior to eliminate residual infection before sealing the tooth to protect its interior. You may receive a prescription for antibiotics or painkillers following treatment; any prescribed antibiotics should be taken as directed to ensure that infection doesn’t spread, and prescription painkillers may or may not be needed depending on your symptoms.
Dental abscesses can arise for a few different reasons. In some cases, an impacted tooth that hasn’t emerged from the gums properly can become infected. Abscess can also develop as a result of an injury to the teeth, mouth, or gums, or as an effect of gum disease or tooth decay, and it can also occur as a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Keeping the teeth clean and the oral cavity healthy is the best line of defense against dental abscess, and this includes regular, proper brushing and flossing along with routine visits to the dentist. Replace your toothbrush every few months to keep oral bacteria to a minimum, and avoid rinsing or using mouthwash directly after brushing your teeth so that the fluoride in your toothpaste has time to work. If you smoke, talk to your dentist about quitting, as smoking greatly increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay and can also significantly worsen or accelerate existing infection. Following your dentist’s guidelines and adhering to a healthy routine can help preserve the health of your teeth and your oral cavity and keep dangerous dental abscesses from developing in the first place.