Tooth Abscess

Following the death of the tooth's nerve by trauma, bacteria, and chemical or mechanical irritations, the infection spreads from the root tip to the surrounding tissues. Over time, a localized collection of pus occurs in the bone around the root tip of the tooth. This condition is called a dental abscess. Over time, this pus finds a way to dissolve the bone and turns into a pus-filled swelling on the gum. After this stage, the tooth may be lost.

SYMPTOMS

• When a tooth abscess occurs, a discomfort occurs in the tooth. When pressed, it is felt that the tooth moves slightly into the bone.
• As the tooth abscess progresses, pain increases as swelling occurs in the soft tissues around the root.
• Over time, facial swelling occurs. Depending on the condition of the tooth and bone, the swelling may be far from the starting point. At this stage, the tooth is more painful, elongated and wobbly.
• When the tooth abscess progresses, it finds a way from the weakest part of the existing purulent tissues and flows into or out of the mouth. Therefore, bad taste and odor occur in the mouth. When the pus starts to flow, the pain decreases.
• In the formation of tooth abscess, there may be mild fever and swelling in the lymph nodes. There is general disappointment.

TREATMENT

Before going to your dentist, you can take painkillers to relieve toothache. However, never apply substances such as aspirin, cologne and alcohol directly on your teeth or gums. In the past, the only treatment option for abscessed teeth was extraction of that tooth. Although extraction of the tooth is a viable option in some cases, today abscessed teeth can be saved with various treatment methods. The first step in the treatment of an abscess is the use of an appropriate antibiotic to clear the infection and prevent its spread. A suitable pain reliever can also be taken to relieve the pain. After the infection is brought under control with antibiotic treatment, the channels of the tooth are opened and cleaned and the inflammation is discharged. After the swelling has subsided, the canals are cleaned, disinfected and filled with a suitable temporary canal filler. Until healing occurs, dressing is done by changing the temporary canal filler at regular intervals. In some cases, full recovery is achieved with these dressings, while sometimes the infection cannot be completely cured. In this case, a small part of the infected tissue around the root and sometimes the root tip is removed with a surgical operation.