Toothache is arguably one of the worst kinds of pain you may physically experience, especially if it is toothache from an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth occurs due to an infection. If left untreated, this may rapidly spread to affect the adjacent teeth, jawbone, face, and even the neck. Some infections may be so severe that patients experience symptoms such as severe pain, swelling of the face, difficulty in breathing, and fever.
Though tempting, getting your abscessed tooth pulled out can be a bit tricky. It is important to seek professional help as soon as possible to determine how to safely address the issue— whether it is to remove the tooth, take medications, or seek emergency hospital care.
If you have an abscessed tooth and do not know what to do, this short read can help you identify the risks and complications, treatment options, and how to prevent it.
What is an Abscessed Tooth?
An abscessed tooth is a severe dental infection that typically occurs at the root of the tooth or its surrounding areas due to a long-standing, severe decay or cavity, gum disease, or a dental injury. Eventually, this infection will lead to the build-up of bacteria known as an abscess.
An abscessed tooth may affect just the concerned tooth and gums. But if the infection is left untreated, it may spread to affect the areas of the head and neck.
Signs and Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth
Some abscessed teeth, especially in their early stages, may not show any signs and symptoms. But if there are any, some of these may include:
- Pain or discomfort with hot and cold foods or drinks
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Severe, constant, and throbbing toothache that may spread to the ear and neck
- Bad breath and bad taste in the mouth
- Pimple on the gums (gum boil)
For more severe symptoms due to widespread infection, patients may feel feverish, have swollen lymph nodes and face, and even difficulty in breathing.
Risks and Complications of Pulling an Abscessed Tooth
Despite the symptoms of an abscessed tooth and how tempting it is to get it pulled out, this condition requires an experienced dental or medical professional. This is to prevent the risks that may come with pulling it out on your own or without the proper help.
Severe pain, bleeding may be experienced
Without proper care, the extraction of an abscessed tooth can lead to severe pain and uncontrolled bleeding. It is essential to assess the surrounding structures, including the nerves and blood vessels, to determine their proximity from the tooth and the abscess.
The infection may spread, leading to severe complications
Depending on how widespread the infection is, complications such as septicemia may occur if the extraction is improperly handled. This occurs if bacteria enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Septicemia can be life-threatening if not promptly managed.
Some parts of the abscess may be left behind
Large infections need to be removed along with the tooth. This will require your dentist or oral surgeon to remove the surrounding infected tissue to prevent leaving any parts of the abscess that may cause persistent infection and future problems down the line.
The Importance of Seeking Professional Help for Abscessed Teeth
With the possible risks and complexity of properly treating an abscessed tooth, it is always best to get professional help. At Sierra Dental, we have a team of experienced dentists to properly diagnose, treat, and manage an abscessed tooth to relieve you of any symptoms and prevent reinfection.
Delaying professional treatment can cause serious problems
If you are experiencing any signs of an abscessed tooth, schedule a consultation with us as soon as possible. This will prevent further infection that may require extensive treatment. Upon comprehensive assessment, our team will create a personalized treatment plan to determine the best solution for your tooth.
Knowing how to treat an abscessed tooth
Not all abscessed teeth are treated the same. If you have a small abscess, a root canal or tooth extraction may be recommended. But, for larger infections that have affected the face and neck, antibiotics will be prescribed to alleviate the symptoms before tooth extraction is done. It is always best to have an expert look into your case for a more specific treatment plan.
Prevention is always better than cure
Once the issue is resolved, our goal is to help you take the steps to prevent future abscesses. This includes proper oral hygiene to reduce bacteria that may develop into an abscessed tooth and routine dental check-ups to address dental issues early.
Treatment Options— Root Canal vs Extraction
An abscessed tooth can be treated with either root canal or a tooth extraction and tooth replacement. But how do you know which should be done in your case? Here’s a quick overview of both:
Root canal is done for smaller abscesses
The goal of root canal treatment is to remove existing infection by removing diseased tooth parts and cleaning the inside of the tooth. Not only will this procedure save your tooth but it can also prevent future reinfection. After a root canal, the tooth will receive a dental crown so it can look and function as new.
Tooth extraction is the last resort for an abscessed tooth
As much as possible, we do our best to save the tooth. But sometimes, keeping the tooth will do you more harm than good. In such cases, a tooth extraction may be recommended. This is for a large abscess or if the tooth has suffered severe decay to a point where it can no longer be restored with a crown.
Conclusion
An abscessed tooth is definitely problematic on its own, but pulling it out without proper care and help will cause more serious concerns.
If you are unsure if you have an abscessed tooth or if you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of it, call us at Sierra Dental immediately to set your appointment. With expert evaluation and efficient treatment planning, we will help you get your healthy and beautiful smile back!