Can You Remove An Infected Tooth

A Swelling Caused By Infection May Limit Your Dentists Ability To Access Your Tooth

Should You Save or Remove A Badly Infected Tooth?

This is a simple enough reason to understand. Its possible that the level of swelling stemming from an infected tooth makes it challenging or even impossible for the dentist to have the access or visibility they feel they must have to remove it. This can be especially true if the swelling restricts the patients ability to open as widely as usual.

With these types of cases, the swelling will need to be managed before the tooth can be extracted.

Who Gets Tooth Infections

Youre more likely to develop tooth infections if you:

Smoke: Smokers are about twice as likely to get tooth infections as nonsmokers.
Have dry mouth: Bacteria thrive in a mouth with a low amount of saliva.
Have poor dental hygiene: Regularly brushing, flossing and getting dental cleanings reduces bacteria.
Have a weakened immune system: Diseases or medications can lower your immune response, making it harder to fight off germs.

You Experience Stomach Pain

You should call your doctor if you, your child, or your infant has a high fever. A high fever is defined as:

adults: 103°F or higher
children: 102.2°F or higher
infants 3 months and older: 102°F or higher
infants younger than 3 months: 100.4°F or higher

Get immediate medical attention if the fever is accompanied by:

A tooth becomes infected when bacteria gets into the tooth through a chip, crack, or cavity. Your risk factor for a tooth infection increases if you have:

poor dental hygiene, including not brushing your teeth 2 times a day and not flossing
a high sugar diet, including eating sweets and drinking soda
dry mouth, which is often caused by aging or as a side effect of certain medications

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What Is A Dry Socket

The typical scenario for dry socket is the occurrence of throbbing pain about two to four days after the tooth is extracted. Dry socket pain is often accompanied by bad breath and a foul taste in the mouth. With this onset of pain, it is obvious that proper healing has been interrupted.

Dry socket is a condition of inflammation of the jawbone after a tooth extraction. It is also referred to as alveolar osteitis and is one of the many complications that can occur from a tooth extraction. The hallmark of dry socket is noticeable pain that occurs a few days after a tooth is extracted. Pain from dry socket is often described as a dull, throbbing pain that can range from moderate to unbearable.

After You’ve Had A Tooth Pulled

Following an extraction, your dentist will send you home to recover. Recovery typically takes a few days. The following can help minimize discomfort, reduce the risk of infection, and speed recovery.

Take painkillers as prescribed.
Bite firmly but gently on the gauze pad placed by your dentist to reduce bleeding and allow a clot to form in the tooth socket. Change gauze pads before they become soaked with blood. Otherwise, leave the pad in place for three to four hours after the extraction.
Apply an ice bag to the affected area immediately after the procedure to keep down swelling. Apply ice for 10 minutes at a time.
Relax for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Limit activity for the next day or two.
Avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully for 24 hours after the extraction to avoid dislodging the clot that forms in the socket.
After 24 hours, rinse with your mouth with a solution made of 1/2 teaspoon salt and 8 ounces of warm water.
Do not drink from a straw for the first 24 hours.
Do not smoke, which can inhibit healing.
Eat soft foods, such as soup, pudding, yogurt, or applesauce the day after the extraction. Gradually add solid foods to your diet as the extraction site heals.
When lying down, prop your head with pillows. Lying flat may prolong bleeding.
Continue to brush and floss your teeth, and brush your tongue, but be sure to avoid the extraction site. Doing so will help prevent infection.

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When To See A Doctor

If you delay the treatment for an abscessed tooth, it can affect your eyes and face. Schedule an appointment with your doctor or dentist right away. Its not possible to completely treat a tooth abscess without going to the dentist.

Schedule an appointment with the experts at Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics by calling one of our locations.

You Cant Prevent Jawbone Deterioration

You may be willing to gain a gap in your smile if it means alleviatingyour pain, but are you prepared for your facial features to change? As soon asa tooth goes missing, the jawbone underneath it begins to deteriorate, whichcauses the facial features to develop a sunken, aged look.

If you need a tooth extraction in Burlington, you shouldalways leave it to your dentist. Many practices are still treating dentalemergencies during the COVID-19 quarantine, so dont hesitate to contact themif you have:

An intense toothache, especially if its accompaniedby bleeding or swelling.
A fractured, partially dislodged, or fullyknocked out permanent tooth.
Uncontrollable bleeding in the mouth.

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What Happens If You Dont Treat An Infected Tooth

What do pain, sensitivity when chewing, bad breath, facial swelling, and fever have in common? Theyre all signs of an abscessed tooth a condition where a pocket of pus builds up around the tooth. Every year approximately 200,000 Americans suffer from the debilitating pain brought on by an infected tooth. In recent years, many people have let their oral health fall by the wayside the result of dental anxiety, fear of needing dental work, exorbitant out-of-pocket costs, or just being too busy to pencil visits in.

But when does ignoring that tooth goes too far and become a real medical emergency? In recent years, emergency rooms see thousands of people annually for dental-related issues. In fact, from 2000 to 2008, the number of people hospitalized for dental abscesses increased by 40%.

To fully understand tooth abscesses, its important to be familiar with the structure of our teeth. They are hard on the outside allowing us to chew our favorite foods but inside, they are comprised of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that can be prone to infection. Deep cavities, periodontal, or gum disease, and chipped teeth can all let in debris and bacteria acting as a catalyst for infection.

An Argument For Extracting The Tooth

Infected Primary Tooth: Remove or Save?

That sounds pretty good, doc. So why would you ever extract a tooth? you might ask. In my opinion, there are two scenarios where you would choose to extract a tooth rather than save it by doing a root canal with PIPS/SWEEPS.

Some teeth are just too far gone. Sometimes a tooth has been worked on too many times in the past, and it is just not viable anymore. This includes too many root canals being attempted when its clear that there is something structurally wrong with the tooth that a root canal cannot resolve. Here is an image of an old root canal tooth that has become reinfected. See that black area at the end of the root. This is bacteria draining from the tooth even after the root canal has been done. Wait a minute doc, I thought root canals were supposed to resolve tooth infections. Well, usually they do but not always. Additionally, the tooth can become re-infected.

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What Are The Risks

There is a high risk of infection with a tooth extraction. Once the tooth has been extracted, youre left with an empty space in your mouth. This can be a breeding ground for bacteria and cause infections that may spread quickly to other teeth, starting a chain of extractions.

A missing tooth raises complications for the neighboring teeth as well. They dont receive any physical support and may begin to get weak or shift in the mouth. This can result in overcrowding, overlapping, and misalignment.

This is concerning because one loose tooth can cause other teeth to follow suite, and soon all your teeth might be loose and begin to fall off or get infected.

Can A Tooth Infection Go Away On Its Own

A tooth infection can cause severe tooth ache, pain and also may result in bad breath. If you have a tooth infection, then you must be having several questions about it. One of those might be, If a tooth infection can go away on its own? So, read below to know about it.

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What I Do When I Find An Infected Tooth Or Root Canal

Get history of RCT or infected tooth, i.e. how long has it been causing a problem, is there pain and swelling, etc.?

Do thorough dental exam with x-rays and sometimes 3 D imaging

Check bite forces, i.e. are there signs of clenching or grinding?

How big is the infection and how long has it been there

Is the patient suffering from any inflammatory disease

How To Get Rid Of A Tooth Abscess Without Going To The Dentist

28th June 2021

Are you wondering how to get rid of a tooth abscess without going to the dentist?

An abscess can form for many reasons. If you have a broken, chipped, or decayed tooth, its easy for bacteria to get into the cracks and infect the area, which can lead to an abscess forming in your mouth.We always recommend that you visit a dentist if you think you have an abscess. If that isnt possible, below are some home remedies you can try.

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How Long Can A Tooth Infection Go Untreated

If you wait too long to treat a tooth infection, it can begin spreading to other areas of your body, including the neck, head, or jaw. A general dentist must professionally drain an abscessed tooth by extracting it or performing a root canal.

Usually, this includes draining pus and bacteria, which is why some people are actually unaware they have an infection. It is unpredictable to determine how long a dental abscess will drain until it stops and causes facial cellulitis .

You should never pop or squeeze an abscess because the infection can be pushed deeper into the tissues of your mouth.

Risks of not treating a tooth infection promptly:

Infection of the blood vessels inside the sinuses
Bone infection surrounding the tooth
Parapharyngeal abscess

Summary

If you don’t receive prompt treatment for an abscess, it can lead to tooth loss, additional infections, sepsis, and even a brain abscess . Never pop an abscess.

How Is A Tooth Infection Treated

Treatment options for a tooth infection include:

Drainage. A dentist will make a small incision in your gums to drain the abscess. However, this is typically used as a temporary measure, and further treatments are often needed.
Root canal. During a root canal, the infected pulp is removed from the tooth. The inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and filled. A crown is then placed to help restore the tooth.
Tooth extraction. In situations when an infected tooth cannot be saved through a root canal, it may be extracted instead.
Antibiotics.Antibiotics are drugs that can kill bacteria. Theyre sometimes used to treat tooth infections. Depending on the severity of your infection, you may receive oral antibiotics or intravenous antibiotics. Your tooth will also need a root canal or extraction along with the antibiotics.

How Do I Prepare For An Appointment With My Dentist For An Abscessed Tooth

To help you get ready for your appointment:

Make a list of your symptoms include any that may seem unrelated to your tooth or mouth pain. Remember, your dentist can only help you when they know everything going on.
Make a list of medications, vitamins, herbs or supplements you may be taking with the dosages of each.

You should prepare a list of questions to ask your dentist, including:

Whats likely causing my symptoms and condition?
Which tests do you recommend?
What is the best course of action?
Are there alternative to the primary

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Remember, your dentist wants to help keep you and your teeth healthy. Just like other medical professionals you may see, theyre an important part of the healthcare team. Be sure to see your dentist routinely and dont put off regular checkups prevention is key! These visits give your dentist a chance to spot problems early, when they may be easier to treat. If you are experiencing pain, its important to see your dentist to get the care you need.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/24/2020.

References

Loss Of Infected Tooth

A Tooth Infection Can Be Deadly â ï¸?Dental Abscess Pus Drainage

Leaving an abscessed tooth without treatment can cause it to become weak, and you will eventually lose it. But if a tooth infection is treated early, you can get a root canal procedure and a crown to save it.

In severe cases, tooth replacements using dental implants are going to be necessary if you wish to restore normal oral function.

However, an implant can only be supported once the infection has been eliminated from the surrounding area.

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Does A Person Need To Be Placed On Antibiotics After Having An Infected Tooth Pulled

The need for a patient to be placed on antibiotics after having their tooth removed varies according to the specifics of the infection/swelling that existed at the time of their extraction, and then at the completion of their procedure.

Localized swelling directly adjacent to an infected tooth.

Minor levels of swelling.

In cases where little to no swelling is present, or else an abscess has formed but its well-localized and limited to an area inside the mouth and directly adjacent to the tooth, usually no following antibiotic therapy is needed.

Diffuse swelling may not offer an opportunity for drainage.

Greater amounts of swelling.

Section references Hupp

Research study.

The study cited above in part evaluated the implementation of this exact kind of scenario. 327 of the infected teeth removed for subjects had associated secondary fascial space abscesses .

Each patients extraction process included drainage of their secondary abscess. Their treatment was then followed with a course of antibiotics for at least 3 days.

Section references Martis

Use Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano oil has great antibacterial and antioxidant properties. This makes it very useful for reducing swelling and pain caused by a tooth abscess.

For this method, you need to mix oregano with a carrier oil so it doesnt irritate your gums. Then, apply the mixture to the infected area with a cotton ball or similar. Leave the mixture on the area for ten minutes and then spit it out.

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When To See Your Dentist

Not all toothaches become serious health concerns. But if youre experiencing a toothache, its best to get treatment before it gets worse.

pain when chewing or biting

If you have a broken tooth or if a tooth comes out, see your dentist right away.

While youre waiting to see the dentist, you might find relief by:

avoiding hot or cold drinks and food
avoiding chewing on the side of the tooth ache
eating only cool, soft foods

Youre at risk of tooth infection if you dont have good dental hygiene. Take good care of your teeth by:

brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day
flossing your teeth at least once a day
decreasing your intake of sugar
eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables

If untreated, a tooth infection could potentially travel to other areas of your body, resulting in a potentially life-threatening infection. Signs of a tooth infection spreading to the body may include:

increased breathing rate

Last medically reviewed on May 28, 2019

8 sourcescollapsed

Dental abscess. .

When Should I See A Dentist

You should see a dentist regularly for check-ups. If you suspect you have a tooth abscess, or you have a toothache, see your dentist as soon as possible. A tooth abscess will not get better on its own in fact, an untreated abscess might get worse and lead to life-threatening complications if the infection spreads to other parts of the body.

You should also see a dentist for a check-up as soon as you can if you have chipped or broken teeth.

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How To Treat Tooth Infection

The only effective way to treat an infected tooth and get rid of it for good is antibiotics. However, there are a few remedies you can try at home to alleviate some of the pain while you wait to see a dentist. These include:

Warm salt water rinse to clean the mouth and kill off some of the bacteria
Over the counter pain killers

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Why Would I Need An Emergency Tooth Extraction

There are a few reasons that a patient may need an emergency tooth extraction. One of the most common is dental trauma. If your tooth is damaged or broken by a serious oral injury, it may not always be possible to save it.

Emergency tooth extractions are also sometimes required for infected teeth. Infected teeth can be caused by a crack in the tooth that exposes the underlying pulp, or by a cavity that destroys the outer layers of enamel and dentin in your tooth. Most of the time, itâs possible to save an infected tooth with root canal therapy. But in severe cases, this may not be enough, and the tooth may need to be extracted and replaced.

The final reason an emergency tooth extraction may be required is due to an impacted wisdom tooth. If your wisdom tooth does not erupt properly, it can become infected or damage the surrounding teeth. Extracting impacted wisdom teeth is the best way to avoid these complications and get relief from pain and discomfort.

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