Abscessed Tooth: Emergency Dental Visit for a Tooth Infection

Dental emergencies usually require a visit to an emergency dentistry office. When dealing with a dental issue, your dentist should be your first call. But if you are dealing with a severe dental problem outside normal office hours, you might most probably need to visit an emergency dentist. It is vital to understand the difference between a dental issue that can wait until morning and a real emergency that requires immediate attention. This will ensure that you receive the care you need at the right time.

Emergency dentistry and serious tooth infections

A dental emergency can be any problem that needs immediate treatment. This may be necessary to save a tooth, stop bleeding or even alleviate severe pain. This also applies to severe infections that are considered life-threatening. A common dental emergency that requires a prompt visit to a dental office is an abscessed tooth.

Abscessed tooth

A dental abscess is a potentially life-threatening condition that should be dealt with immediately. An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus that often forms in various parts of a tooth due to a bacterial infection. A tooth abscess may cause tooth sensitivity to hot or cold, a persistent headache and fever. Other symptoms include tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck and facial swelling. This condition is considered to be an emergency because the infection can spread. It may end up spreading into the jaw, surrounding tissues and to other areas of a person’s body.

Treatment

Abscessed teeth require treatment from a dentist. If a person does not seek treatment early, the infection can become more complicated. Any tooth can become abscessed due to the fact that all teeth have sensitive tissue susceptible to infection. Sometimes, the infection can even reach the jawbone and result in the need for more extensive treatment. A person who suspects a possible infection should contact a dental office as soon as possible.

A dentist may have to clean out the infection prior to repairing a tooth. This is referred to as a root canal. In this case, the dental provider may have to drill the tooth in order to reach the infection area. The infection will then be removed and the canal will be cleaned out with an antibacterial solution. A crown may then be placed to protect the tooth. Root canals may be minor or even major depending on the duration the infection has been active. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to help treat the infection.

Prevention

Prevention should be a vital part of a person’s treatment plan. This can often ensure people do not have to deal with the pain as well as the disruption that a tooth infection causes. A person should always practice good oral hygiene habits. Seeing the dentist for regular checkups can also play an important role in helping to prevent infection. The dentist will be able to locate problems before they can become painful infections.

Takeaway

If you notice any signs of a tooth infection, it is important to seek treatment at an emergency dentistry office as soon as you can. Taking care of the issue ASAP can prevent the risk of an infection getting worse. One good way to prevent dental problems is to stay proactive in your oral hygiene. Visiting your dentist regularly can also be immensely beneficial.

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