How to Tell If You Have an Abscessed Tooth

When you’re experiencing a severe, persistent toothache, there’s a good chance you have an abscessed tooth. This painful condition occurs when bacteria infect your tooth, creating a pocket of pus that irritates your tooth’s nerve. In addition to throbbing pain that radiates to your jawbone, neck, or ear, other symptoms include:

·         Temperature Sensitivity

·         Pressure Sensitivity

·         Fever

·         Swelling in Your Face or Check

·         Tender Lymph Nodes Under or Jaw or in Your Neck

If you believe you have an abscessed tooth, you should seek emergency dentistry in Windsor Terrace as soon as possible. The condition will not go away without treatment, but fortunately, treatment is usually quick and straightforward.

What Causes a Tooth Abscess?

The primary cause behind every tooth abscess is a bacterial infection. Typically, the bacteria penetrate your tooth through either a dental cavity, chip, or crack. Over time, the infection spreads, generating pus and causing swelling and inflammation.

You have a heightened risk for a tooth abscess if you have poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, or eat a diet high in sugar. Not taking good care of your teeth makes it easier for harmful bacteria to thrive in your mouth; daily hygiene and routine appointments are the best way to avoid the need for emergency dentistry.

When you suffer from dry mouth, you have less saliva fighting germs and protecting your enamel. Dry mouth may be caused by age, certain medications, and certain conditions. Finally, high-sugar diets can contribute to cavities, which may eventually become a tooth abscess. Restrict your intake of sweets, sodas, and so on to protect your teeth and your overall health.

What to Expect from Treatment

To relieve your pain and remove the infection, your emergency dentist will drain the pus. Typically, root canal treatment is also done to preserve the tooth and ward off future infections. However, in some cases, the tooth may need to be pulled.