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Do you have a fever, dental pain, or a bad taste in your mouth? Here are some signs that you are suffering from a tooth abscess and your treatment options.
A dental abscess, or a tooth abscess, is a painful oral condition that refers to the buildup of pus that forms inside the teeth and/or gums. It is caused by a bacterial infection that may have come about due to a number of reasons, including:
- Poor dental hygiene
- An untreated dental cavity
- Cracked/broken tooth or filling
- Gum infection
- Prior dental work
If left untreated, a tooth abscess can cause excruciating pain and can even pose a danger to your overall health and well-being.
Tooth Abscess Treatment & Pain Relief in Calgary
A tooth abscess is not to be taken lightly. This is a very serious infection that can result in pain, tooth loss, or worse. At Marlborough Dental Centre, our dentists offer affordable and comprehensive tooth abscess treatment to relieve any discomfort, eliminate the infection, and save your tooth.
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8 Signs of a Tooth Abscess
One of the most common signs of a tooth abscess is swelling of the gums and an ache around your tooth, but you may also experience some pain when chewing. Other signs include:
- A throbbing toothache that radiates to your jaw, neck, and ear
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Hot and cold sensitivity
- A foul taste in your mouth
- Fever and a general feeling of illness
- Swallowing difficulties
- Facial swelling and swelling of lymph nodes in your neck
- An open, draining sore
How Your Dentist Will Diagnose a Tooth Abscess
If you suspect that you have an abscessed tooth, then you must make an urgent appointment with your dentist, because you will need treatment for the tooth abscess before any complications arise and the infection spreads to your jaw.
To diagnose the abscess, your dentist will examine your teeth and locate the abscess. They may require you to have an X-ray or CT scan to see the exact location of the infection and determine whether or not it has spread.
Treating Your Tooth Abscess: What Are Your Treatment Options?
In most cases, a tooth abscess will be treated with a root canal. First, the abscess will need to be cut and the pus, which contains the bacteria, drained away. In order to do this, your dentist will likely administer a local anaesthetic.
What happens during a root canal? During a root canal treatment, a drill will be used to bore a hole into the dead tooth so that the pus can drain. Any damaged tissue will be removed from the pulp and a root filling will then be inserted into the space to prevent any future infections.
Pain Relief For Your Tooth Abscess: What to Do Before Visiting the Dentist
It’s important to remember that the longer you wait to have your tooth abscess treated, the higher your chances of developing serious complications. Not only may you lose the infected tooth, but that infection can spread to the rest of your body.
However, until you are able to get to the dentist, here are some ways to relieve the pain caused by the abscess:
- Avoid beverages that are extremely hot or cold
- Avoid foods that are high in sugar and very acidic
- Use over the counter pain relief medication
- Sleep with your head elevated
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water daily
- Don’t chew on the side of your mouth with the dental abscess
- Use a very soft toothbrush
As soon as you begin to notice a toothache, or any of the above signs, it’s important to visit your dentist immediately. An abscessed tooth will not go away on its own, and will only get worse. By seeking immediate care, you will save yourself time, pain, and money.
Call Today
If you are suffering from discomfort, pain, or facial swelling, and suspect you have a tooth abscess, our Calgary dentists can help! To find out more about our root canal therapy and other tooth abscess treatment options, visit our Calgary dental clinic at 1141-3800 Memorial Drive NE,Calgary, AB T2A 2K2.
Alternatively, you can contact us at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.
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