Tooth Abscess
What Is a Tooth Abscess?
If you are struggling with a tooth abscess in the Parker, CO area, our team is ready to help you find relief. Most often, abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection within the pulp, or the section of nerves inside each tooth, and can form a pocket of pus within the teeth or gums. This can cause moderate to severe pain around the infected area. If left untreated, the infection may even spread to other parts of the body including the jaw, neck, or spinal cord. If severe enough, this can sometimes even be life-threatening. Signature Smiles Dentistry is highly skilled at treating all forms of tooth abscesses and can help eliminate any pain you may be experiencing.
Types of Abscesses
An abscess can appear in three different forms depending on where the infection is located. An abscess can either be periapical (at the tip of the tooth’s root), periodontal (on the gum near the tooth’s root), or gingival (in the surrounding gums). In specific cases, pericoronitis may also be at play, which specifically refers to an infection on the “Wisdom Teeth Removal.” Contact Signature Smiles Dentistry to discuss any concerns you may have – it is important to address these issues as soon as possible to protect your long-term dental health.
Keep an Eye Out for Abscess Symptoms
It is important to be on the lookout for symptoms to ensure that you are not unknowingly experiencing a tooth abscess. Most commonly, an intense throbbing pain will be noticed around the infection. If you are experiencing pain, or any of the following symptoms, you should contact Signature Smiles Dentistry today to discuss your options.
- Red, swollen gums
- Pain when chewing
- Tooth sensitivity
- Loose teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Bad breath
- Unpleasant taste
- Facial swelling
- Fever
- Tender lymph nodes
Tooth Abscess Treatment Options
Often times, we might try to avoid dealing with dental pain. Maybe we think it will go away on its own, or we’re afraid of the treatment we’ll have to go through. With dental abscesses, this definitely shouldn’t be the case. They will not go away on their own. Addressing the issue can often provide immediate pain relief and eliminate the possibility of future issues. Thankfully, there are a number of treatment options that Signature Smiles Dentistry in Parker, CO can help you navigate:
Root Canal
A root canal is a very common method of treating an abscess. This procedure is performed by drilling a hole into the infected tooth to drain the abscess and cleaning out all of the infected pulp. This may also be followed with the placement of a tooth cap or crown to protect the area.
Draining
A minor surgical procedure may be performed to drain the abscess. The team at Signature Smiles Dentistry will make a small incision in the tooth abscess in order to drain the pus and clean out the area.
Antibiotics
Treatment through antibiotics will not cure the abscess in the mouth, but Signature Smiles Dentistry may prescribe them if the infection has progressed significantly. They can help deal with the after-effects if the tooth infection has spread to other parts of the body.
Extraction
Occasionally, an abscess may lead to the tooth experiencing an extensive amount of damage. After the team at Signature Smiles Dentistry evaluates the area, they may decide that the tooth is beyond repair. In this case, they may decide that the best path forward is to drain the tooth and drain the pus from the abscess.
Immediate Relief From Discomfort
Any patient, of any age, can experience a tooth abscess. Whether it came to be as a result of sugary drinks, a lack of brushing, or some sort of trauma, intense pain usually comes right along with it. You shouldn’t have to suffer through this pain. The team at Signature Smiles Dentistry is ready to help any patient dealing with this dental emergency. Addressing the tooth abscess within the first couple weeks of experiencing pain can provide immediate relief for this dental emergency.