Dental abscess
A dental abscess is a collection of pus that can form inside the teeth, in the gums or in the bone that holds the teeth in place. Its caused by a bacterial infection. There one around the gum (periodontal abscess) and second around the end of tooth (periapical abscess). are two types of dental abscess, Dental abscesses are often painful but not always. They should be looked at by dentist. Its important to get help as soon as possible, as abscesses do not go away on their own. Call immediately to arrange an appointment with your dentist or Emergency Dentist Edinburgh if you have a dental abscess.
Accessing Emergency Dental Care in Edinburgh City
Emergency Dentist Edinburgh is an appointment based private dental service to help all patients get the high-quality care they need to feel better right away. Get in touch with us by phone or email and we can arrange an appointment with one of our caring and experienced dentists to assess your oral health.
Symptoms of a Dental Abscess
Symptoms of an abscess in your tooth or gum may include:
⇒ An intense, throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum that may come on suddenly and gets gradually worse
⇒ Pain that spreads to your ear, jaw and neck on the same side as the affected tooth or gum
⇒ Pain that’s worse when lying down, which may disturb your sleep
⇒ Redness and swelling in your face
⇒ A tender, discolored and/or loose tooth
⇒ Shiny, red and swollen gums
⇒ Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
⇒ Bad breath and/or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature (fever) and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open breathing. your mouth and have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
What Causes Dental Abscesses?
Your mouth is full of bacteria, which form a sticky film on your teeth called plaque. If you don’t keep your teeth clean, acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can damage your teeth and gums, leading to tooth decay or gum disease.
- Poor oral hygiene – plaque can build-up on your teeth if you don’t floss and brush your teeth regularly
- Consuming lots of sugary or starchy food and drink – these can encourage the growth of bacteria in plaque and may lead to decay that can result in an abscess
- Having a weakened immune system – this includes people with certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, and those having treatment, including steroid medication or chemotherapy
Treatments for a Dental Abscess at Emergency Dentist Edinburgh
Dental abscesses are treated by removing the source of the infection and draining away the pus. Depending on the location of the abscess and how severe the infection is, possible treatments include:
⇒ Removing the Affected Tooth (Extraction) – this may be necessary if root canal treatment isn’t possible
⇒ Root Canal Treatment – a procedure to remove the abscess from the root of an affected tooth before filling and sealing it
⇒ Incision and Drainage where a small cut (incision) is made in the gum to drain the abscess (this is usually only a temporary solution and further treatment may be needed)
Local anaesthetic will usually be used to numb your mouth for these procedures. More extensive operations may be carried out under general anaesthetic (where you’re asleep). Antibiotics aren’t routinely prescribed for dental abscesses, but may be used if the infection spreads or is particularly severe.
