Abstaining from Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is not something to be taken lightly, as this infection can be quite painful especially if left untreated. When you have a dental abscess, the infection most likely started as a cavity or tooth infection; dental abscesses can then spread to the throat, jaw, mouth or even to the whole face (in severe cases).As a dental abscess most often starts from a bacterial infection in a tooth’s soft pulp, proper oral hygiene can do wonders in preventing the start or spread of dental abscesses.
Dental Abscess Video Animation by NHS-choices
Dental Abscess Symptoms
You may have dental abscesses if you experience one or more of the symptoms listed below; if you do find yourself thinking that you have a dental abscess, make sure that you seek the help of your dentist to treat the abscess dental problem in its earliest possible stage.
- Presence of Pus – When a patient has dental abscesses, it is common for pus to accumulate in the affected area. The pus may be located in the soft tissues of the jaw bone, on the gums, on the insides of cheeks or anywhere else inside the mouth.
- Swelling – Another sure sign of a dental abscess is the swelling of the affected area. The swelling indicates an infection developing in the area, which in turn translates to discomfort for the patient who has a dental abscess.
- Redness – A dental abscess will usually be characterized by redness, aside from the swelling and presence of pus. Dental abscesses will greatly affect how a patient chews, swallows, speaks and moves his or her mouth.
- Pain – A person who has dental abscesses will experience pain, which can radiate from the area directly affected by the dental abscess to the whole mouth and face. The pain associated with dental abscesses is usually throbbing in nature, which can be quite uncomfortable for the poor patient.
In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, severe dental abscesses can sometimes cause a patient to vomit, feel nauseous and have a slight fever; these symptoms indicate that the infection brought about by the dental abscess has progressed, and needs to be immediately brought to the attention of a dentist.
Prevention of Dental Abscesses
In most cases, dental abscesses can be efficiently prevented by practicing proper dental hygiene. Make sure that you brush your teeth thoroughly and regularly; in addition, you should make it a habit to regularly floss so the food trapped between teeth cannot be a breeding ground for bacteria that may cause a dental abscess.
Let Your Dentist Conquer a Dental Abscess
Go to your dentist and have your dental abscess checked, so you can effectively deal with the dental abscess before the infection has a chance to progress. If pus is present in a dental abscess, your dentist will drain it; this usually takes care of the pain and discomfort brought about by dental abscesses. Antibiotics may also be prescribed for the dental abscess if not all of the pus has been drained.
