Millions of Americans struggle with sudden tooth pain. But most don’t take any effective step like booking a visit to the dentist right at the moment. Most simply wait for the pain to subside and they endure this dental emergency till then.
A toothache is not only annoying, but can also become a ticking time bomb the longer you leave it untreated. Waking up with a swollen face, unbearable pain, and a strange foul taste in your mouth are nothing to enjoy. Rather, these symptoms make you lose sleep over time. You never know when a tooth pain is a sign of a severe tooth abscess. So waiting isn’t an option.
What Is a Tooth Abscess?
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus formed around the teeth or gumline. The most common culprit behind this is bacterial infection. While you may hope for it to go away on its own, it rarely happens. It often takes no time to spread, and leads to severe health complications. Abscesses typically develop due to:
- Untreated cavities
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Gum infections
- Poor oral hygiene
- Weakened immune system
Signs You Need Immediate Dental Care
Not all toothaches are emergent, but some red flags indicate that an abscess needs rapid treatment:
- Throbbing, unreinforced pain – If it does not subside with over-the-counter painkillers, it’s a bad sign.
- Swollen jaw or face – Swelling can suggest spreading infection.
- Fever and chills – Your body is fighting hard against an infection, and it’s losing.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing – When the infection reaches deeper tissues, you might struggle with this symptom.
- Pus or foul taste – If you notice a white, leaky liquid substance around the abscess, it’s pus. Pus suggests a ruptured abscess where the infection is still active.
What Happens If You Ignore It?
While you might put all your will power in ignoring the pain, it doesn’t take long for an untreated abscess to turn into life-threatening conditions. Here’s what you might need to battle down the line:
- Spreading infection – The oral bacteria can move to your jaw, neck, and even the brain. Scary, no?
- Sepsis risk – A severe dental infection can trigger sepsis in some.
- Tooth loss – Reinstating a missing tooth can be strenuous, to say the least. The infected tooth may become unsalvageable, and you lose it.
- Bone damage – The infection can reach your jawbone, and cause long-term oral issues that prove costly.
How a Dentist Treats a Tooth Abscess?
An emergency dentist in San Antonio uses special dental tools and runs tests to assess the severity of your oral condition and recommends the best course of action as per the findings. Treatment options for dental abscess can range from:
- Draining the abscess to remove the infection and relieve pressure.
- Root canal therapy to remove the infected tissue
- Tooth extraction if the damage is extensive
- Antibiotics to stop the infection from spreading.
How to Prevent a Tooth Abscess?
There’s no oral care tip as effective as following routine oral hygiene practices. The best ones for you are:
- Brushing twice daily
- Flossing daily
- Skipping sugary foods and drinks
- Schedule dental check-ups every 6 months
Tooth pain requires immediate dental care. If you face a dental emergency in San Antonio, you must not wait days for a dentist appointment. Delaying treatment could lead to severe health complications. The best you can do for yourself is to visit our dental office. Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule an appointment today and get relief from tooth pain.
