Have an Abscessed Tooth? Make an Emergency Dentist Appointment

20 November 2014 by Milton Hayes

One of the absolute worst types of dental pain you will ever experience is an abscessed tooth. Not only does it cause extreme pain, it can lead to many other problems. If you have an abscessed tooth, it is important that you make an emergency dentist appointment as soon as possible. If you notice the abscess in the evening and can't get into a dentist, you may have to visit the emergency dental room in order to get treatment. Read on to learn more about abscessed tooth symptoms, treatments, and the dangers of not having treatment from an emergency dentist.

Symptoms

You will likely know right away if you have an abscessed tooth, because you will experience a lot of pain. It will be difficult to chew, and your teeth, especially the affected tooth, will be sensitive to hot and cold. Your neck glands may be swollen, as well as your gums. If the abscess has been there for a few days, you may also notice a white lump near the affected tooth. If this breaks, the substance inside will have a bitter taste.

How Abscessed Teeth are Treated

The first thing an emergency dentist will do is examine your mouth and the affected tooth. Often, they are not able to begin treatment, because freezing doesn't take well around the abscess. The dentist may prescribe antibiotics first, to get rid of the infection.

Once the infection has cleared up, there are a couple of things the dentist will do to ensure that the abscess doesn't return. One option is to do root canal surgery, which is the removal of the nerve and pulp of the affected tooth, then cleaning and sealing the cavity. Another option is to have the tooth removed completely.

The Dangers of Not Treating Abscessed Teeth

Some people think that they can simply deal with the pain until it goes away. Unfortunately, a dental abscess never completely goes away. The swelling and pain may disappear, and the abscess may burst and drain, but there is still an infection, and it needs to be treated or it can affect other teeth, as well as the nerves in your face. The infection can actually travel throughout your body, and it can lead to a number of health issues.

The sooner you see an emergency dentist for treatment, the sooner you can have the abscess treated and not have to worry about any other problems.

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