Characterized by pain in the teeth, a tooth abscess is a bacterial infection that occurs inside or at the root of a tooth. If dental problems like cavities are not treated for a long time, a tooth abscess will occur. In addition, situations like fractures and cracks in the teeth can also cause bacteria to penetrate the inside of the tooth and create inflammation. The resulting inflammation, or abscesses, brings along many problems such as unbearable tooth pain, gum recession, and gum swelling.
As with every dental problem, a tooth abscess also has certain symptoms. These symptoms can be listed as follows:
A gum abscess can be diagnosed by a dentist after a detailed examination. Additionally, the abscessed tooth can be clearly visualized with X-ray films.
Tooth abscesses, which arise from problems such as tooth decay, openings in the tooth enamel, old and worn fillings, and gum disease, can be examined in 3 types according to their location. These are:
The general cause of abscesses that accumulate at the tooth roots is inadequate oral hygiene. If cavities at the tooth root are not treated for a long time, abscesses can form. These abscesses often show up when food particles trapped between the teeth are not cleaned properly. Finally, periapical abscesses are a type of abscess that forms in the soft pulp of the tooth.
One of the questions that patients struggling with a tooth abscess wonder about is, how do you get rid of a tooth abscess? The first thing patients who experience abscess symptoms should do is consult an expert dentist. After a diagnosis of a tooth abscess is made by the dentist, treatment is typically started by draining the abscessed area and cleaning the infected region. Root canal treatments and medication are effective ways to eliminate gum abscesses. In necessary cases, a tooth extraction may also be performed. In general, the treatments for a deep abscess are as follows:
It is possible to get rid of an abscessed tooth with root canal treatments performed by dentists. During the treatment, the inside and outside of the tooth are first cleaned and disinfected. The abscessed tooth is drilled with a tool called a bur. Afterwards, the abscessed area is drained. With the root canal treatment performed, it is possible for the tooth to be used for a lifetime.
In cases where the tooth abscess is only around the tooth, the patient is treated with antibiotic medications. Medication is a method used when the infection around the tooth is less severe. This treatment method is especially used in patients with a weak immune system.
If medication and root canal treatments do not work for treating an abscess, the last resort for dentists is to extract the tooth. If the abscessed tooth is not extracted, the infection can spread to other teeth. Therefore, tooth extraction becomes mandatory.
There are also a few natural home remedies to alleviate the pain of a tooth abscess. Of course, natural methods will not be a permanent solution for treating a tooth abscess. Natural solutions can be considered temporary solutions. They will be effective in relieving pain in the short term. If the abscessed tooth is causing pain and you have to wait to see a dentist, the problem can be addressed at home using these natural methods:
With these natural methods that can be done at home, temporary solutions can be provided for the problem of a tooth abscess. If problems such as swelling in the cheek and pain continue after using these methods, an expert physician should definitely be consulted.
1- How Are Abscesses in the Tooth Detected?
Dentists use many diagnostic methods to detect abscesses. The first of these is diagnosis by X-ray. The X-ray imaging system clearly shows the condition of the area with the abscess in the tooth and gums. In addition, an abscess can be diagnosed by sending an electric current and a cold stimulus to the tooth.
2- What Course of Action Should Be Followed After Abscess Treatment?
After the area is cleaned by the dentist, the X-ray image of the area is examined within the first six months following the treatment. This way, it is checked whether the infections in the tooth area have reoccurred.
3- How Long Do the Effects of an Abscess in the Tooth Last?
The problems that can occur in an abscessed tooth will continue as long as it is not treated. As long as it is not treated, the tooth and bone in the area of the abscess will continue to decay. If no solution is found, this process can lead to tooth loss.
