If you are dealing with intense pain in a specific area of your mouth, then you may have a dental abscess. Usually located in infected gum tissue or tooth roots, an abscess forms when pus cannot drain from the jaw or oral cavity. Without care from one of our Placerville dentists, this infected pocket risks rupture. A rupture means you have waited too long for treatment and now risk the infection spreading to your jaw and other areas of your neck and head.
Oral Abscess Symptoms
In early stages, abscess symptoms may seem minor, like a tooth growing sensitive to hot or cold or slight discomfort when chewing. Ignoring these signs is not recommended! As the body fights the infection, a patient may also suffer from a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and increasing pain. If you suddenly begin suffering oral sensitivity and chewing hurts, contact our office for an immediate examination
How Our Dentists Treat Abscesses
When you arrive at our office and a dental abscess is suspected, we start with an oral exam to identify the affected area. The dentist gently presses on the red and swollen area to assess the gum tissue’s condition. Then X-rays are taken to determine if there is erosion around the root of the tooth. In order to bring immediate relief, save the tooth, and support recovery, our dentist drains the abscess. If you are immunocompromised or the abscess is severe and has affected surrounding teeth or other areas, then our dentist prescribes antibiotics to prevent further spreading as well as reinfection.
If the X-rays indicate that the abscess has already compromised the tooth stability, a root canal becomes necessary to save the tooth from extraction or loss.
Don’t Ignore the Signs!
If you ignore an abscess, you risk serious consequences! Immediate treatment greatly improves the chance of avoiding permanent tooth loss or extensive procedures. If you suspect an oral abscess, check out our dental abscess page for tips on temporary pain relief and be sure to call the Placerville Dental Group to arrange a visit today!
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