If you have an abscessed tooth, you will most likely know that there is a problem, simply because you will probably be in pain. An abscessed tooth is an infection in your mouth that causes major pain and requires treatment from a dentist. If you feel a great deal of pain in your mouth, you should immediately seek help because an abscessed tooth is not something that usually goes away on its own. Here are several things to understand about this problem.
What Is An Abscessed Tooth?
When a tooth becomes abscessed, it means that an infection has formed. The infection is often found in the gums underneath the tooth, right by the roots of the tooth. In some cases, the infection can also be in the roots of the tooth. In any case, you will feel throbbing pain in your mouth. You may also experience a fever, foul taste in your mouth, and swelling in your gums, neck, or jaw.
What Causes An Abscessed Tooth?
There are many things that can cause this problem to develop, but it is not something that just happens overnight. For an infection to form in this area, there must be some type of problem with one of your teeth. The problem might be decay on a tooth that was left there too long, or it could be the result of a chipped tooth. You could also develop an abscessed tooth if you have gum disease or if the enamel on your teeth wears off.
When any of these problems occur, moisture and bacteria can seep through the tooth and end up in your gums and roots, and this is what causes the infection. When your teeth and gums are completely healthy and well cared for, this problem is not likely to happen. Healthy teeth and gums protect the roots and tissue found under your teeth. It is when a tooth has a problem that is left unaddressed that an infection will form.
What Can Be Done To Fix The Problem?
The first step in fixing an abscessed tooth is diagnosing the infection. After that, the dentist might drain the fluid out of the area and give you an antibiotic to take. You may have to wait several days or weeks to have the remaining work done that is needed. During this time, you can take ibuprofen to ease the pain and reduce the inflammation that is found with an infection.
Once the infection clears up, the dentist will want to fix the problem that allowed this infection to happen. If the infection is from a cavity on your tooth, the dentist will remove the cavity and fill it. If the infection had reached the roots of your tooth, the dentist will need to perform a root canal to fix the problem. If gum disease was the cause, your dentist will need to treat that.
In any case, it is better to prevent abscessed teeth, simply because they are not very enjoyable to deal with. To prevent this from happening in the future, you must take good care of your teeth and get any small problems fixed before they turn into big problems. Brushing, flossing, and visiting a dentist regularly are all good things to do to help prevent problems like this.
If you have a toothache, visit a dentist today. It is the only way to find out what is wrong and learn how it can be fixed. If you learn you have an abscessed tooth, at least you will know why it happened and what to expect when the dentist treats it.
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