Should I Visit an Emergency Dentist for an Abscessed Tooth?

You should see an emergency dentist for your abscessed tooth. This condition is an infection. Severe pain and swelling are its main symptoms. Seeking emergency dental care can help right away. An abscessed tooth can become a jaw infection if it does not receive immediate treatment. If you want to find out why you should see an emergency dentist for an abscessed tooth, here are the facts.

A tooth abscess is a dental emergency

Seeing an emergency dentist for an abscessed tooth is a priority. The patient should receive dental care as soon as possible to avoid serious complications. A tooth abscess is an infection that usually starts at the center of the tooth. The body detects the infection and sends macrophages to fight it. The result of the battle is pus. As the infection worsens, more pus accumulates.

The emergency dentist should treat the infection. If the patient fails to seek immediate dental care, the infection will spread to the head and neck. It can also lead to a brain abscess. Once there is tooth pain, the patient should see a dentist. That way, the dentist could confirm if there is a tooth abscess.

The symptoms

Persistent dental pain is something that needs prompt dental care. More so if the tooth pain triggers aches around the ear, jawbone, or neck. This usually manifests as an inflammation of the lymph nodes and facial swelling. By this time, it is already a huge problem. An abscess sets off pain during eating. Visiting an emergency dentist right away can target and control the infection.

Handling the situation

The patient should request an urgent dental appointment. Describing the symptoms over the phone can help the emergency dentist know how serious the situation is. As the patient waits for the schedule, over-the-counter pain relievers and a saltwater rinse can help. The emergency dentist can recommend medications to control the pain until the dental appointment.

Antibiotics can help reduce the infection and stop it from spreading. Refraining from smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol can help with tissue healing. To reduce the pain and swelling, placing a cold compress on the side of the infection can help. The patient should maintain flossing and brushing to help control the accumulation of bacteria.

Oral antibiotics can only help control the infection until the patient can see the emergency dentist for treatment. If the infection is deep inside the tooth, the emergency dentist should get in there and treat it. The dentist should manually remove the source of infection. If the inside of the filling has an infection, the emergency dentist should clean it out. Sometimes, extraction is the only way to stymie the bacterial infection.

Visiting an emergency dentist is a priority if you have an abscessed tooth

If you are experiencing severe pain and swelling in your mouth, you should set up an appointment with an emergency dentist. You could be nursing a tooth abscess already. This dental condition should receive prompt treatment to prevent complications. Checking the availability of the emergency dentist in your area can help you go through this dental crisis.

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