A Dental Problem That Requires Immediate Attention

If you’ve ever developed a painful dental abscess, then you should visit your dentist in Livonia, MI immediately. The feeling of a dental abscess is one that patients remember for years to come. Typically, an abscess develops when an existing condition is left unaddressed. For example, if a deep cavity is left untreated or unrepaired, eventually it will develop into a painful abscess.

The pain itself should indicate the condition is serious, and under no circumstances should you delay treatment. A dental abscess will worsen rapidly and can even lead to severe sickness. With prompt treatment, a dental abscess is easy to recover from and won’t cause lasting damage. The longer time you take to visit a dentist near you, the more intense the pain and problem will become. A dental abscess requires emergency dental services.

Signs and Symptoms

How can you recognize a dental abscess? Firstly, you will have serious facial swelling in the region of the affected tooth. Your entire mouth may begin to feel sore or tender; however the most excruciating pain will be felt at the point of sickness. Note, it is easier to misdiagnose this condition than it is to miss it altogether, since the symptoms are significant.  Other symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Hot and cold flashes
• Agitation
• Sweating
• Face and neck swelling

Facial swelling and swelling around the neck is due to an infection in the mouth and accumulation of bacteria. It is the same as developing an infection in another area of your body. Your immune system will attempt to fight off the infection, but you will require antibiotics and other medications to relieve the issue.

Tooth decay and root infections can progress into abscesses, this occurrence is not rare. However, this is only the case for patients who are older and don’t maintain regular dental appointments at their dental clinic in Livonia, MI. Typically, to relieve the infection, a root canal will be required. A root canal is performed under anaesthetic and isn’t painful or scary, even though it is often rumoured to be.  During this procedure, your dentist will remove the diseased pulp in the tooth, clean the area and seal it with a filling material. If you are experiencing a root infection, you must consult with your dentist.

How and Why Dental Abscesses Form

An abscess can develop in other parts of your body, as they aren’t restricted to your mouth. An infected swelling can form anywhere bacteria has accumulated and multiplied. In almost all cases however, dental abscess are the result of infected teeth. Lacerations to the inside of your mouth may also be the reason behind a dental abscess, however this is rarer. Since your saliva contains antibacterial properties, cuts and lesions in the oral tissue typically get conquered easily. What is problematic about tooth infection (or root infections) is that they occur below the gum line, which means they don’t receive the same benefit from the cleansing properties of your saliva. Instead, a cavity that develops underneath a tooth will fill up with bacteria and the root becomes infected. Although the gum tissue attempts to drain out the infected fluid, it has nowhere else to go except for below the gum line.

Root canal therapy is the only way you can remove a tooth infection. So what does root canal therapy involve in more detail? Well, a dentist near you will drill a hole through your infected tooth. This allows them to access the tooth and insert a special tool. Next, a suction device is used to remove all the damaged pulp and nerves. Your tooth is cleaned and filled to restore its strength and function using an artificial material called guttapercha.

A root abscess and a gum abscess differ slightly. The distinction however is more important for the dentist than the patient. It is contingent  on the exact place from which the abscess derives from, this may be next to the tooth or directly behind it. A root infection will begin as an abscess, and when dealt with in a timely fashion it won’t progress. As soon as you notice painful facial swelling, you will realize that the infection has spread.

Do You Have a Dental Abscess?

Well, you’ll want to keep any eye out for these two symptoms.

1. A darkened tooth: If your tooth is infected, it will usually darken in colour. This is due to the dead pulp tissue inside the tooth that seeps into the porous parts of your tooth. Be sure to visit a dentist near you if your tooth is noticeably darker than the rest.
2. A pinkish protrusion in the gum tissue: This will appear as a spot or pimple; it will be filled with pus and must be drained.

If you suspect you have a dental abscess, don’t wait. Visit your dentist as soon as possible. They will perform an exam and check-up to spot the signs and respond accordingly.