Gum Abscess Vs Dental Abscess
Strictly speaking, a gum abscess occurs in the gums, while a tooth abscess occurs in the tooth itself. However, there is some overlap. For instance, a periodontal abscess often affects both the tooth and the gum.
Also, sometimes, an infection in the tooth and pulp may lead to an infection in the gums. This may be a tooth that has a large cavity or decay in the root, which creates space within the tooth and surrounding tissue for bacteria to multiply.
At other times, a deep gum abscess may get worse and begin to affect the tooth and pulp.
Severe infections, such as those that involve both the tooth and the gum, often require extensive treatment.
A dentist may refer to several abscesses in the mouth as oral abscesses. They will identify and treat each type.
Why Is A Dry Socket
The typical scenario for a 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.
A dry socket is a condition of inflammation of the jawbone after 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 a dry socket is often described as a dull, throbbing pain that can range from moderate to unbearable.
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.
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Keeping The Infections At Bay
Tooth infections are horrible, and people should get them treated as soon as possible.
Delaying or neglecting dental treatment can result in tooth infection spreading to areas around the mouth and even to other parts of the body.
The most common methods of treating tooth abscesses are root canal treatment, apicoectomy, sepsis treatment, and antibiotics.
If you suspect you have a dental infection, seek dental treatment immediately to prevent the abscess from spreading.
How To Heal An Infected Tooth Naturally
Generally, there are three types of tooth infection: those centered in the gum, the surrounding bone or the inner cavity. Dental infections are not only painful, but dangerous. If the bacteria is allowed to grow unchecked, it can cause tooth loss, facial deformation, blood poisoning and even death. In serious cases, seeking the advice of a dental professional is always ideal. However, there are certain measures you can take to either heal or significantly reduce the severity of your infected tooth.
Brush your teeth. Brushing removes corrosive plague from your teeth and gums prior to treatment. Harmful bacteria, if not removed, can seep back into the tissue, re-infecting the healed area. Use a circular stroke, brushing small areas at a time. Brushing from side to side can actually weaken your gum line and tear down enamel that protects the delicate inner tissue.
Administer several drops of clove oil to the infected area. Oil of cloves has an anesthetic property that numbs the pain associated with an infected tooth. It also contains antiseptic agents that help stop the spread of harmful bacteria.
Make a plantain compress. Do this by gently chewing a fresh plantain leaf and then applying it to the contaminated region. Plantain can draw infected material out from the gum crushing the leaf activates this property.
Supplement your diet with vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium and magnesium. These vitamins and minerals help to fortify the teeth and prevent infection from reoccurring.
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Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection
The most obvious symptom of a tooth infection is pain. Intense, sharp, or shooting pain in a tooth is a good indication that there is an infection that needs to be dealt with. Some of the other common symptoms of a tooth infection are:
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Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache that can radiate to the jawbone, neck or ear
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Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
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Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting
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Fever not associated with flu or another illness
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Swelling in your face, cheek, or jaw.
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Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
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Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief, if the abscess ruptures
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Difficulty breathing or swallowing
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.
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How Much Is Abscess Removal Cost
The price for dentistry procedures can easily scare patients because we all know that dentists are expensive especially for people without insurance.
So what is the dental abscess removal cost in the US ? A quick answer is: $700 to $5,500 !
I think you are asking yourself why so much difference. The point is that, as seen above in this article, abscess treatments are different and it depends on which one is the best to solve your case.
The most affordable price is related to the initial visit, x-ray exam to get the clinical picture and the cure of the cavity that caused the infection.
If that is not enough the doctor has to go with the root canal treatment to get rid the bacteria from the dental root and preserve the tooth. This is the case where the abscess removal cost will be the most expensive because you also need a prosthetic crown in place of the natural one.
Contact The Smile Centre Today
If you are suffering from tooth pain or experiencing other signs of a tooth infection, contact The Smile Centre today to schedule an appointment in Sarasota or Venice. Call Palm Aire at . We make every effort to schedule treatment for you as soon as possible. Your health is our top priority, and we want to help get you out of pain quickly and safely.
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When Is A Tooth Infection An Emergency
A dental abscess infection is always considered a dental emergency. Any visible gum swelling can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
During emergency treatment for a dental abscess, the surgeon will open up the abscess and drain it. This will relieve pressure and reduce any pain associated with the infection.
You will also receive prescription antibiotics to help clear the infection.
Are There Any Complications
Its important to have any abscessed tooth treated by a dentist. Even if its already ruptured, youll want to have the area examined and cleaned by your doctor to make sure the infection doesnt spread.
Left untreated, an infection can spread to your jaw and other parts of your head and neck, including your brain. In rare cases, it can even lead to sepsis. This is a life-threatening complication of an infection.
Go to the emergency room if you have an abscessed tooth accompanied by:
These are all signs of a serious infection that needs immediate treatment.
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How A Dentist Will Treat A Tooth Infection
Once a dentist has determined that you have an infection, the dentist can work to treat the infection, clear out any abscesses that have formed, and assess the damage. You will usually be given a prescription for antibiotics too. If there are abscesses in the tooth or in the gums near the tooth the dentist will go in and clean those pockets out to get rid of the bacteria. Often that can provide immediate relief from the pain of an infected tooth. The dentist will also check your teeth to see if you will need a root canal in order to save the tooth.
How Do Health Care Professionals Diagnose A Dental Abscess
A primary care provider or pediatrician can assess the signs and symptoms to determine if a dental abscess is present during a check-up. They can then refer the patient to a dental provider for diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis of a tooth abscess is collectively determined by
- signs and symptoms reported by the patient,
- exam and tests that are performed by the dentist, and
- what is visualized with dental radiographs ?
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Can A Tea Bag Help An Abscessed Tooth
One of the most common home remedies for tooth abscess is an herbal tea bag, ideally one containing black or green tea. Dip the tea bag into warm water and then wring out the excess water. Be careful that you dont damage the tea bag while doing so. You can then put the wet tea bag over the abscessed tooth. If possible, lie down and leave the tea bag in place for a few hours. Repeat this treatment as often as you need to until your tooth starts to feel better.
Tannins, which are chemical compounds naturally found in tea, have been shown to have antibacterial properties, which makes them a popular home remedy for fighting infection. The tea bag may also help soak up any pus or discharge released by the abscess.
If any pus or discharge has been released from the affected tooth, you can rinse your mouth out with a hydrogen peroxide solution. This can help prevent the area from festering.
In Conclusion You Should Probably Book An Appointment At The Dentist
Whilst these at-home remedies are cheap, easy and give you an excuse to avoid the dentist, we recommend that you seek professional help for an abscess.
If left untreated or poorly treated for too long, an abscess can turn into a bigger problem.
Contact us and book an appointment today. Our experienced dental staff will make sure you get the treatment you need.
Green Square
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Healing After Abscess Procedure
No matter how your dental abscess is treated, you can protect your mouth as it heals, and help prevent future tooth decay by following a regular oral hygiene routine that includes twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. The product line includes:
- Toothpaste: Toothpasteaddresses these areas dentists check most: sensitivity, cavities, plaque, gingivitis, tartar, stains and breath.
- Soft Floss:Flossing your teeth might sound like a painful prospect after treatment for a dental abscess, but flossing is an important part of your oral care routine.
Home Remedies For A Tooth Abscess
If you are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, you may have an infected tooth. A tooth infection, also referred to as an abscess, is a pocket of pus trapped within your tooth. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the tooth roots and may require emergency dentistry, such as a root canal or tooth extraction.
In these situations, many seek out home remedies to help deal with infection before scheduling a dental appointment. The internet is flush with dubious DIY dental remedies for everything from homemade toothpaste to toothache cures and infection treatments. Tea bags are frequently mentioned as a way to treat an abscess at home, but can a tea bag really draw out an infection in your tooth?
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How To Manage A Tooth Abscess
What if you are unable to seek dental treatment right away?
If you have a tooth abscess and cannot seek urgent dental care, there are a few things you can do to manage it until the opportunity for dental treatment arises.
First, you need to reach out to a doctor for a prescription for antibiotics. As we mentioned earlier, the antibiotics cannot completely cure the infection. However, they are an important tool in stopping the spread of the infection. They can also relieve some of the pain by reducing the pressure of the infection inside the jawbone. You can call your medical or dentist if you have a good relationship with him or her. You can also go to a local urgent care facility. One option that is gaining in popularity is telemedicine, so you may be able to have a virtual doctor consult and receive a prescription for the medication necessary to stop this abscess from worsening.
You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol and Advil in an alternating schedule to manage your pain. We recommend warm salt-water rinses for one to two minutes of vigorous swishing. You can do this four to five times per day, and it will flush out bacteria from the abscess, reducing inflammation and keeping the site clean.
How To Drain A Gum Abscess
Now that we have obtained all of our materials that we need, here are the steps that you must follow in order to drain a gum abscess:
Take your needle and probe for a soft area on the abscess
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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.
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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Herbal Tea Or Fenugreek
Herbal teas or medicinal grade teas contain high concentrations of these herbs and enhance their anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Additionally, there is the Fenugreek tea commonly known to alleviate symptoms of dental infection. Another tea is the so-called goldenseal associated with turmeric and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antibiotic properties that could be managed in a dental infection.