At Main Street Dental Smiles, we are proponents of prevention to maintain long-term oral health. Keeping up with your routine dental exams and cleanings allows us to diagnose and treat dental problems early on, preventing them from progressing. If, however, a minor tooth problem is left untreated, it can become a serious concern, putting your smile and your overall health at risk.
What Is an Abscessed Tooth?
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus at or around a tooth’s root resulting from a bacterial infection. An abscessed tooth may result in moderate to severe pain and is considered a dental emergency. Left untreated, a tooth abscess can pose a serious risk to your oral and overall health.
What Are the Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth?
Symptoms of an abscessed tooth include the following:
- Persistent, throbbing tooth pain
- Inflammation, redness, or a pimple-like bump on the gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- A bitter taste in the mouth
- A discolored or loose tooth
- Swelling of the face, neck, or jaw
- Lingering bad breath
- Tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw
Contact Main Street Dental Smiles immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. We will evaluate your unique needs and provide prompt treatment to relieve your pain and save the affected tooth.
If an abscessed tooth is accompanied by a high fever, a rapid heart rate, facial swelling, difficulty swelling, or confusion, head to your nearest emergency room for immediate care.
What Are the Dangers of Ignoring an Abscessed Tooth?
A tooth abscess is a dental emergency requiring immediate care. Failing to seek prompt treatment can lead to serious complications. The infection can affect the jawbone, leading to bone loss and tooth loss. It can also cause damage to the surrounding teeth and tissues.
Infection from an abscessed tooth can spread to the head, neck, and sometimes even the brain. In rare cases, an untreated dental abscess can lead to a life-threatening infection called sepsis.
How Is an Abscessed Tooth Treated?
Treating an abscessed tooth usually requires root canal therapy. The procedure involves making a small opening in the affected tooth’s crown to drain the abscess and remove any damaged pulp. Next, we will fill and seal the root canals and pulp chamber and place a dental crown for protection. If the infected tooth is damaged beyond repair, we may have no option but to extract it and then drain the abscess. Depending on your unique needs and the extent of your infection, we may prescribe antibiotic treatment.
Quality Dental Care Near me in Whitesboro, TX
If you have symptoms of a tooth abscess, contact Main Street Dental Smiles right away. Dr. Schilling and her team will relieve your pain, treat the infection, and do everything possible to save the tooth. You can always count on us for outstanding, gentle care. We invite you to call our office at 903-564-3451 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!
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