Download December, 2013 - Shelby Dental Care Center

Healthy
D e c e m b e r, 2 0 1 3
nerve can become infected and the infection
can burrow through to the gum, forming a
visible boil that can rupture in the mouth.
Once the abscess ruptures, the pain often
decreases significantly, but dental treatment is
still necessary. If the abscess does not
drain, the infection can spread
to other areas of the head
and neck and can become
life threatening.
Dental Abscess
What is It?
An abscess is a limited area of pus
formed as a result of a bacterial
infection. The body’s immune system
reacts to the infection, and sends
white blood cells to the area to try
to get rid of the bacteria. Pus is a
mixture of live and dead white
blood cells, enzymes and parts
of destroyed cells and tissues.
When there is no way for pus to
drain, it forms an abscess.
Symptoms
The main symptom is
persistent, throbbing
pain. At first, the
tooth will be sensitive
to heat and pressure
while chewing. Later,
you may develop a
fever. Swollen lymph
nodes under the jaw
or in the neck can be
tender and you may feel
pain in the sinus area. If the
abscess ruptures, a sudden
rush of foul-smelling and foultasting fluid will spill into the
mouth.
Abscesses can form in almost
every part of the body. In the mouth,
abscesses form in gum tissue or in the
roots of teeth and in the surrounding
areas of the tooth. They can be
caused by trauma (food or debris
embedded deep in the gum),
by bacteria that enters through a
cavity and gets into the dental pulp,
or from a deep periodontal pocket.
People with a lowered resistance
to infection are at increased risk of
developing an abscess. At first, the
abscess may cause a toothache,
which can be severe. The tooth’s
Pauline Cahill
D.D.S. / Owner
Brenton Young
D.D.S. / Owner
(Continued)
Jessica Lackey
D.D.S.
ShelbyDentalCareCenter.com 704•482•7986
Diagnosis
Usually, we can diagnose a tooth abscess by examining
your mouth. We may push on the swollen area of the
gum and do a pulp test on the affected tooth to see if
it is still alive. A pulp test can involve:
• Gentle tapping (percussion) on the tooth
• Temperature testing
• Using an electric tester on the tooth
We may also may take an X-ray to look for bone
erosion around the tip of the tooth’s root.
Expected Duration
Once the abscess is drained, most symptoms go away
immediately or within a few days, but the abscess will
not be cured unless the cause is eliminated.
Prevention
Good oral hygiene can help prevent abscesses by
keeping teeth and gums free of food and debris.
Regular dental checkups are also important. If
you have a weakened immune system because
of medication or another condition, let your
dentist know before every appointment. You
may receive antibiotics before the appointment
to reduce the risk of infection.
If the abscess involves gum tissue, your dentist may
suggest that you rinse with warm salt water (1/8 of a
teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) a few times a
day for several days. You may be prescribed antibiotics
to help make sure the infection has been eliminated. If
the bone does not fill in after the treatment, you may
need to visit a periodontist who can surgically reshape
the gum so that it is easier to keep clean, or an
endodontist who can surgically remove a persistent
abscess.
When To Call Us
If you have a toothache or notice evidence of an
abscess on your gum, visit your dentist. Even if the
abscess drains and the pain decreases, a visit to the
dentist for complete treatment is crucial.
Prognosis
The outlook is excellent if detected promptly and
treated appropriately.
Treatment
Saving an abscessed tooth begins with draining
the infection, which usually relieves pain and
removes much of the infection. Root Canal
Treatment may be necessary and should be
started as soon as possible to remove diseased
tissue.
Dental Fact: You should replace your toothbrush at least every three months,
and always after you have an episode of flu, cold or other viral infections. Notorious
bacteria can implant themselves on the toothbrush bristles leading to re-infection.
ShelbyDentalCareCenter.com 704•482•7986