If you are experiencing pain or symptoms of an abscessed tooth, give our Sunnyvale dentist office a call to set up an immediate appointment with Tooth Spa. A tooth abscess is an infected mass in the center of a tooth caused by a bacterial infection. Abscesses are a result of tooth decay. They can occur due to tooth trauma, like when a tooth is chipped or broken.
Infections & Toothaches
Gaps in tooth enamel can provide an opening for bacteria to enter, infecting the interior part of the tooth. This part of the tooth is called the pulp. When this happens, the infection can spread from the tooth root out into the surrounding bones.
The infection can cause a mass of puss, consisting of both living and dead bacteria, dead tissue, and white blood cells. The result is a painful toothache. In cases where the tooth pulp dies, the toothache may end. However, if an abscess forms severe pain may result.
Symptoms Of Abscessed Teeth?
The most commonly reported symptom of a tooth abscess is a severe toothache with continual pain that can be described as sharp, gnawing, throbbing, or shooting. Other symptoms may include breath odor, a bitter taste in the mouth, fever, general discomfort, tooth sensitivity, pain when chewing, and a swollen jaw.
If you suspect you have one or more abscessed teeth, call us at Tooth Spa as soon as possible. We can take a close look at your mouth, teeth, and gums. You may experience some discomfort when we tap your tooth. Closing the mouth tightly or biting can increase the pain. Your gums may be red, inflamed, and swollen. Tests and x-rays can help identify which tooth is affected.
Root Canal Therapy
Our goal is to end the infection, preserve your tooth, and forestall any potential complications. In order to remove the infection, the abscess will often require draining. This can be accomplished with a root canal. If you require a root canal, we can take out any root tissue that is infected after the infection has ended. At this point, the tooth may get a crown.
Another technique for draining an abscess is an incision to the affected gum tissue. To help eliminate the infection, antibiotics are often used. While you are waiting for the infection to subside, you can use pain medication like ibuprofen or warm salt-water rinses. Salt is a natural antibiotic.
Tooth Pain Treatment In Sunnyvale
Often, abscessed teeth can be saved. In other cases, an extraction may be the best course of action. For diagnosis and treatment of an abscessed tooth in Sunnyvale, schedule an immediate appointment at Tooth Spa.