Heat Or Cold For Tooth Infection

Treating A Cracked Tooth

Is Heat Good For Abscess Tooth

The best treatment for a cracked tooth depends on the severity and location of the crack, and whether the pulp is inflamed or infected. As long as you dont have an infection, a dental crown, veneer, or bonding can cover the crack and restore the tooths strength.

Once the pulp is infected or an abscess develops, you need an incision and drainage procedure or a root canal.

An incision and drainage procedure allows us to drain the infection and clean the area, leaving your entire tooth intact. During a root canal, we remove the pulp, clean out the infection, and seal the canal.

Both procedures preserve your natural tooth, though we may need to cover it with a dental crown.

Dont wait to seek help for tooth sensitivity. Call Comprehensive Endodontics at our Statesville or Hickory, North Carolina, office today.

Ditch The Gym For 7 Days

This one can go either way. Ive had patients who cant bear the thought of missing a workout, and Ive had some who rejoice at a mandated break from the gym. Either way you need to know that excess physical activity from cardio or lifting weights is detrimental to tooth extraction aftercare.

The reason is because exercise significantly increases the heart rate and blood pressure. And since a tooth extraction is essentially an empty raw hole, the increased blood pressure can cause bleeding, swelling, or induce a painful dry socket.

What Causes A Tooth Abscess

Anything that creates an opening for bacteria to get into the tooth or surrounding tissues can lead to a tooth infection. Causes include:

Severe tooth decay: A cavity, or tooth decay, is the destruction of the hard surfaces of the tooth. This occurs when bacteria break down sugars in food and drink, creating acid that attacks enamel.
Broken, chipped or cracked teeth: Bacteria can seep into any opening in a tooth and spread to the pulp.
Gum disease : Gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the tissues around the teeth. As gum disease progresses, the bacteria gain access to deeper tissues.
Injury to the tooth: Trauma to a tooth can injure the inner pulp even if theres no visible crack. The injury makes it susceptible to infection.

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Should You Apply Heat Or Cold To A Toothache

ALMOST NEVER APPLY HEAT to your face when experiencing a toothache. If you have an infection the heat may draw that infection out causing more swelling. Apply COLD! If you are experiencing a severe toothache the best thing is ice water in the mouth. You may have gasses trapped in your tooth. If you keep ice cold water in your mouth, the gasses will contract and pain either lessens or ceases.

Inflammation is the bodys natural response to any infection. Heat increases inflammation. Ice helps to relieve inflammation. Dr. Paul Silberman, Dentist in Waldorf

Treatments For A Dental Abscess

Dental abscesses are treated by removing the source of the infection and draining away the pus.

Depending on the location of the abscess and how severe the infection is, possible treatments include:

removing the affected tooth this may be necessary if root canal treatment isn’t possible
root canal treatment a procedure to remove the abscess from the root of an affected tooth before filling and sealing it
incision and drainage where a small cut is made in the gum to drain the abscess

Local anaesthetic will usually be used to numb your mouth for these procedures. More extensive operations may be carried out under general anaesthetic .

Antibiotics aren’t routinely prescribed for dental abscesses, but may be used if the infection spreads or is particularly severe.

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Some Natural Remedies Can Help You Control Tooth Pain And Help Stop Tooth Infections From Getting Worse

The only way to truly get rid of an infection is with antibiotics. However, home remedies for tooth infection can help manage the symptoms and alleviate some of the pain. If you have a tooth infection you need to see a dentist to assess whether or not you need a root canal and to get prescription antibiotics to make sure that the infection goes away and doesnt cause any more pain or damage to your teeth.

There are some natural remedies that you can use to both help control the pain and help stop the infection from getting worse or spreading while you wait for the infection to die off. Not all of these remedies will work for every person but if youre in pain from an infected tooth they can bring you some relief.

How To Prevent Toothache

The best way to prevent toothache is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

To do this:

cut down on sugary foods and drinks only have them as an occasional treat at mealtimes
brush your teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste
clean between your teeth using floss or an interdental brush every day to remove food, debris and plaque

Home Remedies For Abcessed Tooth

Do you have a throbbing pain in your jaw or mouth that seems to center around a tooth? Does this throbbing pain keep you awake at night and could be described as one of the worst pains youve ever felt? If so, then theres a good chance that youve got an abscessed tooth. This can be a serious issue because what has happened is that the infection in your tooth has spread to the root tips of your tooth and could be in your gum around the roots too.

Though some would say that eating candy or drinking sodas all day will cause an abscessed tooth, the most common form of this infection comes from a cavity that is so decayed that it has spread to the tooth root. There are other ways for a tooth to die and fill up with pus, bacteria, and other debris to cause the abscess, such as a dental treatment or an injury, but these are less common.

An infection should be evaluated by a medical professional. After youve had this evaluation, here are some effective home remedies for an abscessed tooth that will help alleviate the painful symptoms youre experiencing:

1. Hot compresses to the affected area can alleviate swelling.One of the primary issues with an abscessed tooth is the painful swelling that occurs with the fluid buildup in the abscess. A hot compress to the mouth can help to alleviate this swelling. The best way to get a fast hot compress is to use a wet washcloth, microwave it for a few seconds, and then apply it to the abscess.

Rinse With Salt Water

Should You Apply HEAT or COLD to Relieve Tooth Pain?

In addition to cold packs and over-the-counter medications, there are some natural ways to stop a toothache. You can clean infections and promote temporary pain relief by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. Treating a toothache with salt water can also help heal any oral wounds and reduce inflammation. Just make sure not to swallow any of the salt water while you rinse.

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Will A Tooth Infection Go Away On Its Own

A tooth infection will not go away on its own. Your toothache may stop if an infection causes the pulp inside your tooth to die. The pain stops because the nerve isnt functioning anymore, so you may not be able to feel it. However, the bacteria will continue to spread and destroy surrounding tissue. If you have tooth infection symptoms, see your dentist even if you no longer have pain.

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

by Pearl Modern Dentistry | Feb 28, 2021

If you have a broken, chipped, or decayed tooth, bacteria can penetrate the cracks. This leads to the growth of infections that can cause tooth abscess. If the bacteria manage to reach the tooths center, they can infect the tooth. As a result, pus can begin to accumulate in the tooth and give you a severe toothache. Early treatment for tooth infection is necessary otherwise, it can impact your gums and cause other severe oral issues.

The best treatment for a tooth abscess is going to the dentist, but many people dont like the idea of sitting in the dental chair. If youre one of those thinking about how to get rid of a tooth abscess without going to the dentist, we can help you find relief. Keep reading to explore some home remedies that can help you find relief from the pain and discomfort caused by a tooth abscess.

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Apply A Cold Compress

In general, there are two ways to stop or blunt toothache pain. The first involves reducing inflammation, while the second centers on interrupting the signals from the injury to the brain. You can accomplish the first goal by applying a cold pack or bag of frozen vegetables to the side of your face for 20 minutes at a time. Just be sure to use a piece of cloth as a buffer, so you dont accidentally damage your skin. This can help alleviate discomfort by blunting pain and reducing swelling.

Home Remedies For A Tooth Infection

Tooth decay, untreated cavities, recent dental work, or injuries can cause a tooth infection, or tooth abscess, at the tip or side of a tooths root.

Dental infections can be very painful, and if theyre not medically treated, the bacteria can spread to the gums, bone, and even the eyes.

If you think you have a tooth infection, talk to a dentist or doctor, who can diagnose and properly treat the problem.

For example, if you have a bacterial infection in your mouth, your dentist or doctor may treat it with an antibiotic medication like amoxicillin or cephalexin, along with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

You may also need dental work, such as a root canal, to stop the infection and prevent it from spreading throughout your gums and mouth.

But if youre in pain and cant get to a doctor or dentist right away, there are also home remedies for a tooth infection that can help manage the pain and keep the infection from spreading. In some cases, your provider may also recommend home remedies to manage your pain while theyre treating your infection.

While some of these home treatments arent likely to cause major medical concerns, its important to talk to a healthcare provider before you attempt to treat your own abscessed tooth.

Here are 10 natural remedies for a tooth infection.

Things You Can Do At Home To Relieve A Toothache

Toothaches can be extremely painful, and we never want you to feel the excruciating throbs that are associated with it, which is why we have provided this blog! If you have a toothache, you can try to relieve the pain at home with one or more of these five home remedies:

1. Ice the area: Icing the area can relieve pain and numb the nerves. Put one or two ice cubes in a plastic bag and lay the ice on the aching area or outside the cheek that covers the tooth. Do not use a heating pack to sooth the tooth and do not eat or drink sweet foods and drinks if they increase your pain.

2. Swish with salt water: Put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water and swish it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds. When the time is up, spit it out into the sink. Repeat this process as much as needed. The salt water cleans the infected area and draws out the liquid that causes the swelling.

3. Brush your teeth: Brushing your teeth will clean the area surrounding the tooth. As you brush, use a toothbrush that is meant to help and clean sensitive teeth. You can also floss around the tooth and free any excess particles that might be causing the pain.

4. Use clove oil: When you coat the area with clove oil, your toothache will be relieved and you will have the comfort you are looking for. Just pour some clove oil on a gauze pad or cotton ball and rub your tooth with it.

What To Do For A Toothache

While your number one goal might be to eliminate tooth pain as quickly as possible, you need to consider the potential cause first. When our bodies experience pain, they are sending warning signals to our brains, telling them that something isnt right. If you have oral pain, its generally a sign you have a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Oral pain can be caused by a variety of serious issues, including tooth decay, a damaged filling, a tooth fracture, infected gums or an abscessed tooth. If the latter has occurred, you could suffer serious complications without rapid treatment. These complications could include the loss of the tooth and supporting bone. In some cases, bacterial infections can also spread to other parts of the body, leading to hospitalization or worse. For these reasons, its important to seek emergency treatment if you show any of the following signs of an abscessed tooth:

Red, swollen gums
Broken or severely chipped tooth

If youre experiencing any of the above symptoms, call one of our dentists immediately.

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What Are The Symptoms And Signs Of A Dental Abscess

tenderness with touch,

pus drainage, and

sometimes limited ability to open the mouth .

If the abscess has spread to a superficial area, there is typically tenderness to palpation of the infected area. Dental abscesses may range from mild to severe. They may be associated with no symptoms or with severe symptoms. Depending on a number of factors, the abscess may range from chronic to acute, and stable to rapidly spreading. The infection can in some cases spread beyond the teeth and bone through the bloodstream to other areas of the body where it can damage organs and even be life-threatening.

For an acute dental abscess that causes substantial pain or swelling, the doctor may incise and drain the abscess and/or try therapy with antibiotics.
Abscesses that are eminently life-threatening may require hospital admission.
Pain medication is commonly prescribed until the symptoms can be controlled.
These initial measures are often necessary to temporarily relieve the signs and symptoms of an acute abscess however, further treatment directed at eliminating the primary source of the infection is necessary to prevent recurrence. The location of this primary source determines the definitive treatment options, which may include root canal treatment, periodontal treatment, or extraction of the tooth.

Five Fast Ways To Help Stop A Toothache At Home

Sensitive Teeth

Here are five fast ways to help stop a toothache at home:

Apply a cold compressIf you see or feel any swelling inside your mouth, start by applying a cold compress to the outside area of your cheek or jaw for 20 minutes at a time. This can help interrupt pain signals to the brain and reduce inflammation.

Take an anti-inflammatoryIn addition to applying a cold compress to stop a toothache at home, you can also take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or an OTC pain medication that includes acetaminophen.

Rinse with salt waterIf you think youre experiencing pain because of an infection, you can help clean the infection and promote temporary pain relief by swishing with warm salt water. This can also help heal any wounds inside your mouth and reduce inflammation. Just try not to swallow any of the salt water while you rinse.

Use a heat packHeat packs applied to the outside area of your cheek or jaw can help reduce pain by interrupting pain signals from your mouth to your brain. If you dont have a heat pack, you can fill a clean sock with rice and tie the open end shut. Then, place the rice-filled sock in the microwave for about a minute. Use caution to make sure the rice-filled sock is a comfortable warm temperature before applying!

Use peppermint tea bagsPeppermint tea bags have mild numbing properties that may help alleviate dental pain temporarily. These can be used cool or warm.

Boulder Office 2700 Canyon Blvd, Suite 210Dr. Whitney Smith

When To See A Dentist

Oral pain is generally an indication of an underlying condition. Whether its a damaged filling, tooth decay, or an abscessed tooth, you must address the problem immediately. Delayed treatment can lead to loss of the teeth and supporting bone.

Schedule an appointment with an experienced dentist immediately if you notice the following signs:

A swollen, red bump in the mouth
Red, swollen gums

How Dental Insurance Can Help

Dental emergencies happen. Even if you are practicing good dental hygiene and you take care of your teeth, you can still end up with an infected tooth that needs to be dealt with right away. Dental insurance can help cover the costs of things like X-rays, exams, and other treatments, as well as more expensive care like root canals.

This is not dental care advice and should not be substituted for regular consultation with your dentist. If you have any concerns about your dental health, please contact your dentists office.

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What Is An Abscessed Tooth

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection. Abscesses can occur in different places around a tooth for different reasons and affect the involved tooth, but also the surrounding bone and sometimes adjacent teeth. Three types of tooth infections can cause abscesses:

Gingival: This infection develops in the gums. It does not usually affect the tooth or supporting structures.
Periapical: A periapical abscess is an infection that forms at the tip of the root. This occurs because bacteria can spread to the inside of the tooth to the pulp through a fracture or cavity. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria invades the pulp, they can spread to the tip of the tooths root causing the infection to spread to the bone eventually leading to an abscess.
Periodontal: This infection starts in bone and tissues that support the tooth. A periodontal abscess usually results from periodontitis or gum disease and is more common among adults.