If you ever feel a slight swelling on your gums and it is painful to the touch, this is likely to be an abscess.
An abscess could be caused by numerous things, primarily if a person has poor oral hygiene, which allows bacteria and germs to establish a hold, and in the event you ever suffer from an abscess, it is important that you seek treatment sooner rather than later.
What is an Abscessed Tooth?
An abscessed tooth is one that is infected along the gum line.If you notice a sudden swelling around the base of a tooth and happen to be in Australia, search online for a Brisbane endodontics clinic, where you can receive the necessary treatment.
Typically, either the death or inflammation of tissue is responsible for the infection which swells up and if not treated, this could result in poisons entering your bloodstream; a reason to have it treated ASAP.
Spreading Infection
Once a gum infection takes hold, it doesn’t take long for it to creep along the gum line and eventually, if not treated, it will affect the facial muscles and, of course, there is always a risk of septicaemia, which can be fatal.
More often than not, the swelling is very painful to the touch and it might swell up considerably, which is the time to contact your local dental clinic.
It simply isn’t worth the risk of delaying treatment, regardless of any other pressing issues you may have lined up, as the consequences could be serious.
Losing the Tooth
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When you have an abscessed tooth, the longer you delay the treatment, the more likely that you will lose the tooth, so prompt action is required.
While there are no dental clinics open during the night, many deliberately keep daytime appointments clear for emergencies, and a few hours won’t really make a difference.
Treatment Options
The normal treatment for an abscessed tooth would be a root canal procedure, which would be carried out by an endodontist who is experienced in carrying out root canal treatment.
This treatment is usually carried out over a couple of visits and involves cleaning out the root canal properly, before sealing it with a special material, then the tooth is saved and should last a lifetime.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of an abscessed tooth include the following:
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Dull, consistent ache around the tooth
- Swollen Gums
- Bad breath that does not respond to brushing
An abscessed tooth is almost always accompanied by pain and if you notice any of the above symptoms, it is best to make an appointment with your dentist, preferably the same day.
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If a person does not employ good oral hygiene practices, they are increasing the risk of developing an abscessed tooth, which, as explained above, can result in serious medical issues, if left untreated.
By brushing and flossing after every meal and before and after bed, you are greatly reducing the chances of developing any form of gum infection.
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