by Malavi Sivakanesan • 28 February 2025 • 6 min read
Before shedding light on the tooth abscess treatment options, you must know what this problem is. It is a build-up or pockets of pus around or in the gums or teeth. The main reason is the bacterial infection. Since this condition is quite painful and discomforting, it needs immediate medical attention. In addition to this, tooth abscess does not go on its own, only an orthodontist can fix this issue. Some more details have been discussed in this blog post.
What are the Signs of Tooth Abscess?
Whether you need root canal treatment or any other dental procedure, you should determine whether you have a tooth abscess or not. For this, you must look for the following signs:
- Intense pain in the gums or tooth
- Redness inside and outside the mouth, including the jaw and face
- Excessive sensitivity to cold or hot food and beverages
- Bad taste in the mouth
- A swollen jaw or face
- Difficulty while chewing or opening the mouth
- Higher body temperature
Important: In severe cases of abscess tooth, you will find it hard to breathe. Additionally, you can experience painful and swollen eyes with the eyesight and related issues. Lastly, you will have excessive swelling in the mouth.
How to Reduce the Pain Caused by Teeth Abscess?
When you are experiencing toothache abscess, dental treatment is the only way to cure the pain and discomfort. However, you can do a few things to ease the pain temporarily. These include the following:
- Take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen (after consulting your dentist).
- Avoid too cold, too hot, and too sugary foods and beverages.
- Use mouthwash and a soft brush to clean the teeth.
- Eat soft food items such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or soup.
What are the Best Dental Abscess Treatments?
This is one of the conditions that need emergency dental treatment to drain the pus. When it comes to the treatments, the following are typically offered:
- Root Canal: This is one of the most important and highly preferred treatments offered by orthodontists to treat tooth abscesses. Through this, the damaged tooth either be treated or removed. Keep in mind that the procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia to mitigate the pain and discomfort.
- Medications: Once you receive the treatment, you will be offered some antibiotics and painkillers for the next few days. These are given to ease the pain and rule out any bacterial infection.
What are the Main Causes of Dental Abscess Pus?
A tooth abscess can occur when pus collects under the gums or teeth due to an infection. Besides, you can have dental abscesses if the causes include poor oral hygiene, untreated cavities, or gum disease.
- You have gum disease or tooth decay.
- You have an impacted tooth (that is not grown properly and is still in the gums).
- You have an injury in the mouth, gums, or teeth.
- You are going through chemotherapy or radiation.
What are the Ways to Prevent a Dental Abscess?
If you consult a certified orthodontist, they will suggest some do's and don'ts to prevent a tooth abscess. Some of them have been listed here:
Do's
- Use a fluoride toothpaste twice a day to clean your brush.
- Do interdental brushes or flossing to keep your teeth clean.
- Change your toothbrush at least once every 3 months.
- Opt for dental check-ups regularly to spot and fix any issues.
Don'ts
- Right after brushing, do not use a mouthwash.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Do not eat anything sticky.
Closing
Dental abscess is a treatable condition. However, you must seek immediate medical help as soon as you notice the signs listed in the post. In case you are already experiencing the same, you can schedule your deep dental check at Complete Smiles. Based on your condition and its severity, you will be offered relevant treatments such as root canal treatment or removal of the affected tooth.
Malavi Sivakanesan
Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.