ORTHODONTICS - Treatment of Infected Teeth
What is an abscessed tooth?
An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection. Abscesses can occur in different places around a tooth for different reasons and affect the affected tooth as well as surrounding bone and sometimes adjacent teeth.
Who has tooth infections?
You are more likely to develop tooth infections if:
- Smoking: Smokers are about twice as likely to get dental infections as non-smokers.
- Have a dry mouth: Bacteria thrive in a mouth with a low amount of saliva.
- Having poor dental hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleaning reduces bacteria.
- Having a weakened immune system: Disease or medications can lower the immune response, making it more difficult to fight germs.
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Questions and answers
What are the complications of a tooth infection?
If left untreated, a tooth infection can spread to the jawbone, soft tissues of the face and neck, and beyond. In extremely rare cases, the infection can reach the heart (endocarditis) and the brain (bacterial meningitis).
What are the symptoms of a tooth infection?
If your tooth is infected, your pain could be:
- Gnawing or throbbing.
Sharp or shooting. - Continuous or only during chewing.
- It radiates to the jaw, neck or ear.
Other oral symptoms of infection include:
- Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold temperatures.
- Bitter taste in the mouth.
Smelly breath. - Redness and swelling of the gums.
- Loosening of the tooth.
- Swollen area in the upper or lower jaw.
- Open, draining pain on the side of the gum.
How is an infected tooth treated?
The goals of treatment are to clear the infection and prevent complications. Treatment options include:
- Incision and drainage: The dentist makes a small incision (cut) in the abscess to drain the pus. Sometimes a small rubber drain is placed to keep the area open for drainage.
- Root canal – this option helps to clear the infection and save the tooth. This common procedure removes the infected internal pulp of the tooth and fills the space with material to prevent another infection. The internal pulp is important when the tooth is growing, but once mature, the tooth can survive without the pulp. After the procedure, your tooth should return to normal, although a crown may be needed to protect the root canal. If you take care of the properly restored tooth, it can last a lifetime.
- Tooth extraction: Sometimes the tooth cannot be saved and the dentist may have to pull or extract the tooth allowing the pus to drain out of the socket.
- Antibiotics: If the infection is limited to the abscess area, many of you don’t need antibiotics, but sometimes your dentist may advise you to assist with dental treatment. It is important to know that while this drug may help fight off the remaining bacteria, it will not eliminate the cause of the infection, which is the affected tooth.
Treatment of Infected Teeth
Your first visit
Many people who visit Dental Experts Albania have questions about cosmetic problems, including stained and discolored teeth. On your first visit, you will receive a full series of X-rays, a thorough exam, cleaning, and time to speak to your dentist (expect to spend approximately 90 minutes in our office).
We will review your exam, talk about how you would like to improve the appearance of your teeth, and discuss a treatment plan.