Dental abscess. How do you treat? How do you prevent?

Dental abscess. How do you treat? How do you prevent?

Dental abscess is an infection in the tooth, manifested by swelling (swelling) that deforms the region where it is located. Covering portion inflamed tissue - usually the outer layer of gum-is red, congested and tense.
Frequently, food residue form plaque bacteria that exist. These residues, in combination with saliva, teeth stick and attacked. If plaque is not removed regularly and correctly by brushing and flossing, the bacteria multiply and penetrate the soft tissue inside the tooth or gums, causing tooth abscess.

Initial signs and symptoms of a dental abscess?

The first symptoms of an abscess are feeling discomfort during chewing and speech and pulsating pain in the infected area, increased when the area is palpated. If the tooth is not treated, the patient's condition degrades, grabbing and other symptoms such as fever accompanied by chills, bad taste, bad breath, physical fatigue, headache cheek to modify the shape or area affected tooth adequate blood flow and pus from the abscess.

There are 3 types of dental abscess:

Gingival abscess: - gum tissue abscess is only and does not affect tooth or periodontal ligament.
Periodontal abscess: abscess begins in the supporting bone structure of the tooth.
Periapical abscess: abscess is located in the soft pulp of the tooth


As the infection spreads, the pulp is destroyed and the jawbone begins to be affected. During the infection is installed in the jaw pain is likely to decrease in intensity, but the situation worsen, not improve. Relieve pain is explained by the fact that with the dissolution of the jaw, there is a corresponding region of the nerve damage, damage that can lead to nerve death. Gradual destruction of maintaining fixed jaw prevents tooth tooth socket, causing its loss.
If not treated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, threatening the patient's life.
Causes of dental abscess are likely diverse, but most of the times, his appearance is occasioned by an untreated cavity or trauma.

What should I do if I have symptoms of a dental abscess?


Any person who has symptoms of a dental abscess must see a dentist. Dental abscesses are easily diagnosed by a physician. People who have trouble swallowing or breathing, you should go directly to the emergency department at the nearest hospital.

If you can not get to a dentist right away, you can go to the doctor. The latter you can not treat the pain but can prescribe medication and can advise you how to care for and how to get rid of pain right now.

Treatment of a dental abscess.

Dental abscess treatment applied in these situations is done by a dentist will recommend antibiotics and pierce little swollen area so that infection can be drained and the pus removed. If the infection is in a more advanced may require an incision in the swollen area. If the inner area was affected tooth, the dentist will have to treat tooth canal to remove the infected tissue. In situations where infection has destroyed much pulp, the tooth must be extracted.

To reduce pain and prevent swelling of the face we recommend applying cold compresses (ice) in the cheek and avoid heat. The patient may be given medicines without medical prescription, such as painkillers or drugs that reduce swelling and antifebrile when appropriate (eg, ibuprofen to reduce swelling, Tylenol for fever). However, the patient does not have to resort to dental abscess treatment at home than when it is unable to detect the presence of such symptoms immediately to your doctor.
Painkillers can help to reduce pain treatment. It is important to keep in mind all the information on the packaging. It relieves your pain now, but can not replace visiting the dentist.

Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol are some painkillers that can help treat dental abscess. However, ibuprofen is contraindicated in asthmatic persons, those suffering from stomach ulcer and aspirin not be given to children under 16 years or pregnant women.

How can I prevent dental abscess?

Dental abscess can be prevented by good oral hygiene, plaque against the occurrence and through a healthy diet, low in fat, sugars, sodium. Healthy diet maintains healthy gums and prevents tooth decay which, untreated, subsequently leading to the appearance of an abscess. If the tooth suffering blows, contact your dentist immediately.

As in the prevention of other diseases that can occur in the mouth, periodic monitoring is required.