How Is A Tooth Abscess Treated
A tooth abscess is treated to cure the infection and prevent complications, and to save the tooth if possible. You may be treated by your dentist or referred to an endodontist, a dentist who specialises in tooth roots.
The treatment of a tooth abscess depends on the seriousness of your condition. Treatments include:
- antibiotics to fight the infection usually only if the infection is widespread or severe
- making a small cut to drain the abscess
- root canal treatment, which involves cleaning out the abscess and other material from the root of the tooth, and then filling and sealing it
- tooth removal , which only happens if you have a severe infection, or your tooth cannot be saved
Generally, early treatment can cure the infection and save the tooth.
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
A Dangerous Trend On The Rise
It seems that the number of Americans hospitalized due to tooth abscesses is rising. Unfortunately, the
Affordable Care Act and Medicare dont have dental coverage so many people are going without dental
insurance. This means people arent getting regular cleanings and maintenance checks for their teeth. By
the time an abscess or infection gets to that point and they finally get to the dentist or Emergency Room,
the infection can be extremely serious. It can spread to your bloodstream, brain or heart or cause swelling
and cut off your airway.
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Swollen Cheek And Jaw
A swollen cheek and jaw including jawline or neck area can be caused by any of the causes of cheek swelling we have already discussed. It could be accompanied with pain or no pain or cause numbness depending on underlying cause.
Common causes include blunt trauma, dental works, oral surgery, corrective jaw surgeries, chin surgery, tooth problems, salivary gland infections among others. They could affect both your cheeks and jaws, right or left jaws.
Swollen Gland In Cheek
Your cheeks could swell due to swollen salivary glands i.e. swollen parotid glands in cheek , swollen submandibular glands , or sublingual glands .
Swollen salivary glands could be caused by a number of bacterial or viral infections that result to swelling and inflammation. The common causes of salivary gland swelling include HIV, mumps, salivary stones, tumor, Sjogrens syndrome, malnutrition, influenza A, poor hygiene and dehydration.
Sometimes, when your salivary gland ducts are obstructed by stones or sialolithiasis, you might end up with cheeks that are swollen. This is another cause of swelling of cheek with is associated with salivary glands.
On what to do with swollen salivary glands in cheek, you need to treat the underlying cause. This means you need a diagnosis before medications or treatment options can be explored since there are many causes of inflamed and/or swollen glands.
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Whiskey Vodka Or Pure Alcohol Rinse
Rinse your mouth with whiskey or pure alcohol. This is a grannys abscess remedy indicated to relieve the pain caused by tooth infection. Alcohol acts its anesthetic and antibacterial effect, relieves pain and partly removes bacteria. Alcohol should not be swallowed, rather hold it in the mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Many doctors are against this remedy for the irritating effect of alcohol on the oral mucosa.
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The West Ryde Dental Clinic Advantage
At West Ryde Dental Clinic, our service and our dentures are 100% personalized for you. All our dentists are highly motivated and accredited practitioners with graduate degrees from the University of Sydney. As well as the dentists, the supporting staff at West Ryde Dental Clinic are highly dedicated and experienced to ensure each visit with us is comfortable as possible.
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The Tooth Infection Is Drained
It may be necessary in some cases to drain the pus directly from the site of infection. Drainage to remove the pus from an abscess at the back of the mouth may happen at your dentist office .
Even though most tooth infections can be easily treated, treatment should never be delayed. Untreated tooth infections can cause the tooth infection to spread to other parts of the body. If a tooth infection spreads, it could become life threatening. Therefore, if you suspect that you have a tooth infection, seek immediate dental treatment. The most effective way to prevent a tooth infection is to have good oral health care. Limit your sugar intake, brush your teeth and floss twice daily, and have good dental care habits by visiting yourdentist for regular cleanings and exams.
Swollen Cheek No Pain Cheek Swelling And Pain
Not all edemas are accompanied with pain always. It is normal to cheek swelling with no pain or mild pain or slight pain. A painless cheek swelling could be on either your inner cheek, upper or lower cheek. Sometimes, cysts, dental abscess, allergic reactions, swelling due to malnutrition, etc. might not cause any pain.
However, in some instances, swelling is accompanied with some pain . In such a case, you need to go for the over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs as well as apply cold compresses to reduce inflammation and swelling.
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Swollen Cheeks From Tooth Glands And Jaw Eyes Gum And How To Reduce Or Treat It
Why is my cheek swollen, or what causes swollen cheeks? Cheek swelling is a problem that affects both children and adults with a number of causes including infections, tooth problems, trauma, salivary gland infections, and mumps among others.
The swelling could be on your inside cheek, on your jaws, neck or even affect eyes. Furthermore, it could be accompanied by a number of symptoms include pain , redness, difficulties in chewing, etc. Discover more including treatment and how to reduce cheek swelling.
Cheek swelling refers to enlargement or distention of someones cheek and/or lump development that results from accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the cheeks. The swelling in the cheek area might be mild, severe, with or without pain i.e. swollen cheek no pain or painful cheek swelling.
Depending on the cause, you could have cheek swelling on one side , lower or upper cheek swelling as well as swollen inside cheek . Sometimes you may have a swollen cheek and swollen neck, gums, jaws, eyes, lips, glands, face or near ear.
The swelling might come with other symptoms such as with rash, redness, fever, sore throat, toothache, gum infection or with a sick feeling. It can affects adults as well as children .
How To Ease Swelling Of A Cheek Due To A Toothache
If you have swelling of the gums, face or cheek related to tooth pain, you may have an infection. Tooth decay, gum disease or cracked teeth are common causes of toothaches and the source of most dental infections.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
While a persistent toothache indicates the need to see a dentist, infections require an urgent evaluation, as tooth or gum infections can quickly become serious and spread throughout the body 2.
To complement your dentists treatment plan, there are also some home strategies, such as cold compresses, salt water rinses and over-the-counter medications that can ease your pain and swelling.
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Signs Your Tooth Is Infected
If youve ever experienced a tooth infection, you know it can be very uncomfortable. A tooth infection is typically accompanied with a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. The abscess can be found anywhere in the mouth.
There are two types of abscesses. A periapical abscess occurs at the tip of the root, whereas a periodontal abscess occurs in the gums, usually near the side of the tooth.
A periapical tooth abscess usually occurs as a result of an untreated dental cavity. If the interior of your tooth , encounters any unknown substance, it can inflame the blood vessels and nerves, impacting the tooth enamel. Endodontic treatment helps treat tooth decay and other infected materials to help seal and fight future infections.
Rick Davis, DDS, and Rick Schwartz, DDS, are experts in endodontics at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, visit a specialist who can diagnose and help treat it.
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Swollen Cheek Due To Tooth Infection
There is no pain that can surpass the magnitude of a toothache. This is pain that can drive you nuts. If you havent experienced it yet, dont look forward to it. The visit to the dentist wont be rosy either. Since childhood, we have been told to brush out teeth after every meal but how many of us actually do this? Quite ironic even the parents who advise as such do not. Nonetheless, dental hygiene is important. You dont want to visit the dentist due to pain.
One can get a tooth infection if you do not practise proper dental hygiene. This is literally the basics. Floss your teeth, avoid too hot or too cold drinks at the same time and brush at least in the morning & in the evening. A tooth infection will come from food particles and may result in a swollen cheek. The tooth infection depending on its gravity, may require professional help. A tooth abscess particularly would need a dentist. Your dentist will assess your tooth infection and advise on the best treatment based on the assessment.
Oral hygiene practice is important. It is said cleanliness is second to Godliness. Whether it is true or not, what counts is that oral hygiene will save you from any tooth infection or consequently a swollen cheek. Dont wait for the painful experience. Read about it and learn from the reading. You definitely want to keep smiling.
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What To Expect From Your Dental Visit
When the dentist receives you, as a first step, they will ask what has happened to you and since when have you been like this, if you have other diseases or have suffered a blow. By checking your mouth you can tell what is happening. Sometimes an x-ray may be necessary to see possible complications or extent of infection.
The most important thing is to resolve the cause of the infection. Among the objectives that the person who treats you will pursue will also be to save the tooth and reduce the possibility of complications.
If there is a cavity it must be treated, if there is a foreign body it must be removed, if there is an abscess it must be drained and if there is injury to the nerve endodontics may be needed. They will also recommend what to take for toothache after your visit.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to What to do if my face is swollen from an infected tooth , we recommend that you enter our Teeth and mouth category .
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Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection Spreading To The Rest Of The Body
Did you know that you can die from a toothache? That’s a sobering thought.
Most of the time toothaches are caused by infections that are merely painful inconveniences. But if the infection worsens and spreads to the rest of the body, it can be serious. For a small number of people, it’s even deadly.
To avoid this happening to you, you can simply learn the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to the body. Then you’ll know when to seek immediate medical attention for your annoying toothache.
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Swollen Cheek And Gums
Swollen cheek and gums could be due to any of the causes mentioned such as infected tooth , tooth extraction , after root canal, blunt trauma, oral cancer, etc.
Furthermore, gum problems especially gingivitis, teething syndrome, herpes stomatitis, parulis, periodontal disease, malnutrition, badly fitting dentures, as well as other viral or fungal infections. Furthermore, pericoronitis has been found to result into a swollen gum and cheek.
The cheek swelling and gums could cause a numbing feeling, be sore and make chewing painful and difficult.
To reduce swelling in cheek from gum infection, try sucking ice , use over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, swishing sea salt and water mixture as well as treat the underlying cause .
Natural Home Remedies For Toothache Pain
Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen Aleve or ibuprofen
Home remedies for pain relief include:
- Biting on a cotton ball soaked in oil of cloves. Clove oil is available at most drugstores.
- Garlic is a natural antibiotic and can fight tooth infection.
- Apply medicated relief gel like Orajel to the affected area can provide pain relief in some instances.Avoid very cold or hot foods because these may make the pain worse.
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How Is Osteomyelitis Of The Jaw Diagnosed
Osteomyelitis of the jaw is usually diagnosed with a physical examination and medical history. Your dentist will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He or she will also examine your mouth, teeth, and jaw. X-rays may also be taken to look for infection in the bone. A biopsy may also be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Surrounding Bone Gets Infected
The bones in our face are unable to tolerate the presence of an infection for a long time.
Leaving an infection to spread to your facial bones may eventually necessitate surgical removal to stop it.
Even in minor cases, a tooth infection can cause the bone structures of your jaw to weaken, making it hard to support your teeth.
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Prevention Of Jaw Bone Infection:
There are a few things that you can do to help prevent infection in the jaw bone from a tooth. First, it is important to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Additionally, you should see a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. If you have periodontal disease, it is important to receive treatment for that condition.
Additionally, you must lead a healthy lifestyle, you can fight infections by eating a balanced diet and maintaining optimum hydration.
What Is The Management For A Dental Abscess
- With a dental abscess, as with each and every illness, it is important to comply with a doctors instructions for follow-up care.
- Proper treatment often means reassessment, multiple visits, or referral to a specialist.
- Cooperate with doctors by following instructions carefully to ensure the best possible outcome.
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What Health Problems Do Dental Abscesses Cause
Lets turn to a discussion to the different complications associated with these types of infections:
Spread of Infection: Any infection can spread if it isnt treated. If nothing is done to halt a dental infection, it can spread to nearby teeth, the jaw, neck, and the brain.
Sinus Irritation: Because of the close quarters between your teeth and sinuses, a tooth infection can trigger sinus irritation.
Ludwigs Angina: Infections and inflammation are partners in crime. Ludwigs Angina occurs when a skin infection spreads into the throat, causing swelling in the air passage, which can lead to trouble speaking, breathing, weakness, and swelling in the neck.
Meningitis: An inflammation of the membranes near the spinal cord and brain, meningitis can be triggered by not getting medical care for a tooth abscess before the infection spreads.
Jaw Infection: Just as a tooth infection can spread from the tooth to soft tissue in the mouth and throat, its also possible for the infectious bacteria to travel into the jawbone itself. In this case, swelling and tenderness are usually apparent.
Symptoms Of Tooth Infection Spreading To The Brain
A dental abscess can also travel to the brain, leading to the development of another abscess. If the infection reaches your brain, it can be life-threatening.
Since a brain abscess is so dangerous, the condition requires a visit to the hospital or emergency room for urgent treatment. A brain abscess is relatively rare but can occur if the dental infection is left untreated.
Symptoms of a brain abscess :
- Going in and out of consciousness
Summary
Dental abscesses can lead to brain abscesses . This is why you should never leave them untreated. Vision changes and body weakness on one side are common with brain abscesses.
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