When To Worry About A Tooth Infection

What To Do If You Suspect You Have An Infection

As you can see, an untreated tooth abscess is no laughing matter. If you suspect you might have deadly tooth infection symptoms, call your dentist to set up a same-day emergency appointment. If you cant reach your dentist or if you cant get an appointment, you should head straight to the nearest emergency room for treatment.

Tooth Abscess Your Guide To Risks Causes Symptoms And Treatment

Are you worried you might have a tooth abscess? Or maybe your child does and you’re wondering how to treat an abscessed tooth. A mouth abscess is a serious medical issue that needs to be addressed promptly. And you’ll want to resolve it quickly because tooth abscess pain can be quite severe.

Thankfully, your dentist will be able to help you with swift abscessed tooth treatment, including tooth abscess antibiotics if the mouth infection is severe.

If you feel like you might need urgent care or pain relief, did you know you can connect with a dentist in your state right now for an online consultation? This is a service provided by Denteractive. Opt for a video call and the dentist will be able to prescribe you pain medication and antibiotics, if needed. to read full details and get started.

To help you on your quest to learn more about oral abscesses, in this article we’ll answer the following questions:

• What is an abscessed tooth?
• What causes dental abscesses?
• Which tooth abscess symptoms should I look out for?
• What does abscessed tooth treatment involve?
• What are the best antibiotics for an abscessed tooth?
• How do you know if a tooth infection has spread?

We also have some tips for avoiding oral infections and keeping your mouth in a healthy state.

Before we dive in, if you need to speak to a dentist right now about an infection, and you can’t get in to see one, you can consult with a dentist, online right now:

How Long Can You Go With Tooth Pain

If you get a toothache that lasts more than a day or two, see your dentist as soon as possible. Your toothache is excruciating. You have a fever, earache, or discomfort when you open your mouth wide. These are all signs of a serious problem that needs medical attention.

You should call your dentist if you are able to wait and come in for an appointment. They can give you advice on what to do until you can make it in to see them. If the pain is severe or worsening, bring someone with you to the appointment. They will be able to help you find the cause of the problem.

Sometimes people are able to handle their pain by themselves. But if the pain persists for more than a couple days or if it gets worse, then see your dentist immediately.

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Symptoms Of Tooth Infection Spreading To The Body

When left untreated, an infection in your tooth can make its way to other areas of the bodyand to be clear, just because an abscess has ruptured doesnt mean its gone. A rupture is actually the first sign that the infection is spreading, and the abscess still needs to be adequately drained.

If left untreated, the infection can enter your jaw and hitch a ride to other areas of your body. The infection can even spread to your bloodstream and cause sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening response to an infection in your body that causes the chemicals that fight infection to be thrown out of whack. It also produces changes that can damage several organs.

• Blurry or gray vision

Brain abscesses are life-threatening, so if you suspect you have one, seek medical attention immediately. This infection can disturb the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain, and it may also rupture, which creates a dire situation. Brain abscesses require treatment in a hospital thats usually a combination of antibiotics and, depending on the size, surgery.

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Did you know that you can get online dental prescriptions for tooth infections?

to check your symptoms using our symptom checker and text with a doctor in minutes.

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What Are Abscessed Tooth Symptoms

There are several clear symptoms of tooth infection. In some cases, a small white spot just above the infected tooth will appear. This is a pocket of pus that has formed as a result of the bacterial infection.

Other abscessed tooth symptoms include:

• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Pain when chewing and biting
• Swelling in the face
• Throbbing and tenderness in any area of the face, and radiating pain
• A sharp pain following by a rush of bad-tasting fluid and relief
• Swollen lymph nodes in the jaw and neck

Some people may experience bleeding. You may experience one or more of these symptoms. Without treatment, most people will eventually have constant throbbing pain that radiates across their face and down their neck.

How Do You Know If You Have An Infected Tooth

An infected tooth can be diagnosed after an examination by your dentist, but its important to recognize some of the most common signs of a tooth infection, so you know if you may have an infected tooth. These symptoms include:

• Tooth pain sometimes an infected tooth can cause a throbbing sensation that can radiate into your head, jaw, ear, or neck. This pain can be severe and persistent, making it hard to chew, talk, or sleep. While tooth pain isnt always a sign of an infected tooth, any pain in your mouth should be brought to the attention of your dentist.
• Bad breath an infected tooth may cause a bad taste in your mouth or bad breath because of the bacteria that causes the infection.
• Sensitivity you may experience irritation when eating or drinking hot or cold things, or it may hurt to chew or bite on one side of your mouth.
• Fever or swelling an infected tooth can cause facial swelling or swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck. You may also experience a fever, which is your bodys attempt to fight the infection.

The pain from an infected tooth is usually caused by an abscess, which is a pocket of pus that builds up near the root of your tooth or in your gum. These sorts of infections usually happen due to an untreated cavity, tooth decay, a cracked or broken tooth, or gum disease. While the damage caused by tooth decay cannot be reversed, if you get care promptly, you can prevent any further damage.

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Do I Have An Abscessed Tooth

Abscessed teeth are teeth that are surrounded by a pocket of pus. The two main types of tooth abscesses are:

If left untreated, an infection that begins in one area can spread to another. A periapical abscess can be joined eventually by a periodontal abscess, and vice versa.

Abscessed tooth stages are clear, and identifying which stage is occurring can help you decide on proper treatment. In the first stage, the affected tooth may turn darker than its neighbors. You may begin to feel pain when biting. In the final stages, you may see a pus-filled swollen area on the gum, and the pain, swelling, and throbbing may be constant.

Abscessed teeth have several potential causes, but most infections begin when bacteria enters the dental pulp the soft material inside the tooth through a crack or chip in the tooth itself. Other dental work or trauma to the mouth can also allow bacteria to enter the pulp.

Risk factors for abscessed teeth are the usual suspects.

A diet high in sugar and fat erodes tooth enamel and makes teeth more susceptible to decay. Poor dental hygiene also increases the risk of abscessed tooth. People who have extensive dental work also have an increased risk of abscessed teeth.

The Difference Between An Abscess And An Infection

A tooth infection can take the form of a cavity, pulpitis, or an abscess. Yes, a dental cavity is an infection. It causes the enamel, or hard surface, of the tooth to begin to break down. This can be painful, if it happens quickly, but many cavities dont cause symptoms.

If the infection extends into the middle of the tooth the pulp it causes pulpitis. This usually causes a toothache, which can be aggravated by hot and cold foods and liquids.

Finally, if the infection is not treated and continues to spread, it can form an abscess. After the infection has spread through the middle of the tooth and has nowhere else to go, it forms a pocket of pus, which is an abscess.

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Causes Of Abscesses In The Mouth

Your mouth naturally contains bacteria, and when not cleaned well, this bacteria forms plaque on your teeth and gums. Teeth infections develop when the acid produced by plaque starts to decay the teeth or gums.

As mentioned above, abscesses most commonly occur when tooth decay is left to spread. Other possible reasons for infection include:

• Complications from dental surgery such as implants, root canal treatment, and extractions
• Rough tooth brushing
• Food stuck between teeth and gums

People with poor dental hygiene are more susceptible to oral abscesses due to an increased build-up of plaque. Any injury or surgery to teeth and gums can increase the chances of infection as delicate parts of the mouth are exposed to bacteria.

In addition, people with a weakened immune system are at greater risk of developing a dental infection leading to a mouth abscess. The immune system is affected by certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes. Some medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, also reduce a patient’s natural immunity.

While none of these things will automatically lead to a tooth or gum abscess, they are all factors that increase the risk of mouth infection.

What Happens If The Infection Spreads

There is little chance that a tooth infection will spread to other parts of the body. Patients that have any of the below symptoms should call our office right away. Infections that spread can be life threatening and should be taken seriously.

• Swelling around the face or mouth

Pain that does not subside

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Meet Mccarl Dental Group

The dentists at McCarl Dental Group take care of patients with dental emergencies every day at our Greenbelt, Maryland dental office. We provide same day emergency dental care to patients with pain from dental infections. Many patients who need emergency dentistry treatment are new to our dental office, and we are happy to help! If youre in need of emergency dentistry services, call our dental office in Greenbelt, MD right way.

Symptoms Of An Infected Tooth

If you have a toothache, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms

• A severe, persistent, or throbbing toothache
• Tooth pain when biting, chewing, or eating
• Tooth sensitivity to temperature change
• Tooth sensitivity to pressure
• Breathing or swallowing difficulties
• A tooth infection can spread to other parts of your body including your jaw, neck, sinuses, and brain.

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What Does An Abscessed Tooth Look Like

If you think you may have a dental abscess, you might be searching for abscessed tooth pictures to find out what an abscess in the mouth looks like. Keep in mind that not all abscesses are externally visible, so don’t put off visiting your dentist just because you can’t see any outward signs of infection.

While some mouth abscesses may appear as a small lump inside the mouth , some symptoms of an infected tooth manifest in much greater swelling either in the mouth or on the face.

Abscessed tooth pictures

These abscessed tooth pictures show some different aspects of what a mouth abscess looks like:

Yes, some of these tooth abscess pictures are quite alarming, but if you recognize these dental abscess symptoms, take a deep breath, stay calm and contact your dentist, who will skillfully help you through the treatment process. Make sure you get professional care ASAP, to avoid becoming one of the thousands of people who are hospitalized for dental abscesses each year.

Discuss your symptoms with a dentist online now

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How To Cure A Tooth Infection

If you have signs and symptoms of a tooth infection, it is important to call your dentist as soon as possible. Dentists can help in a few ways, but remember that this infection will not go away on its own- treatment is necessary.

If you notice the symptoms go away, and you are no longer in pain, this does not mean the infection is gone. An infection can eventually kill the nerves that cause pain in your tooth, meaning you wont feel it anymore. The infection is still present and can potentially spread to your body and damage the surrounding teeth and your gums.

• A dentist or endodontist can perform a root canal, which is a procedure in which the infected pulp in your teeth is removed to prevent further infection.

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Treatment For Abscessed Tooth

Generally, the abscessed tooth must be drained to reduce infection and preserve the tooth. Usually this is accomplished be performing a root canal.

• During a root canal, the nerve and pulp of the tooth is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned before it is sealed once again.
• In some cases, root canal surgery may also remove the diseased root tissue and a replacement crown will be placed over it.
• Another option is tooth extraction which allows drainage of the abscess through the socket.
• The last option is the process of incision through the swollen gum tissue for the dentist to get rid of the abscess contained in it.

Home Remedies For Abscessed Tooth

If the pain caused by your abscessed tooth happens in the evening, when it usually does, you are left with no other choice but to use the available home remedy which can help relieve you of the pain. There are many effective alternatives. Choose what you have available and what works for you.

• Place Strepsil throat lozenges right next to the area of the gum suffering from tooth abscess. This will quickly take effect on the infection and ease you of the pain.
• Crushed garlic on the infected gum for about five minutes to help minimize the spread of the infection
• Onions inside the mouth to relieve them of the pain.
• Warm or cold black bags can be soothing. Leave in place for a few hours or overnight. The tannin reduces inflammation and other ingredients can help rid the body of infection.
• Tea tree oil, should not be swallowed but can provide pain relief and reduce infection.
• Oil of cloves has relieved pain of abscessed tooth for many, just as it relieves the pain for teething infants.
• Alkaline mouthwash used 3 or 4 times daily can rinse away pus and keep the infection from spreading.
• Tincture of echinacea or spilanthes dripped directly onto the abscess helps boost your immune system as it slows the growth of bacteria.
• Chewing plaintain leaves and placing them on the abscessed area can relieve pain temporarily.
• Gargling with warm salt water can reduce inflammation.

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Are There Abscessed Tooth Dangers I Should Know About

• View Larger Image

Abscessed teeth are no joke. Sure, there may be memes and actual jokes about teeth falling out due to poor oral hygiene, but abscessed tooth dangers can go well beyond a gap in your smile. Here are some warning signs to look for, common abscessed tooth dangers, and when to get in touch with your dentist.

Signs And Symptoms Of An Infected Tooth

You may have an infected or abscessed tooth if youre experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Painful throbbing in your tooth, jawbone or near your neck
• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Sensitivity to the pressure
• Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or neck
• A salty fluid taste in your mouth
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Contact your dentist if you think you may have an infection, and consider the below home remedies to soothe your symptoms until then.

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