Emergency dentistry focuses on treating dental issues that require immediate care, like an abscess. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms due to a bacterial infection in a tooth. Some abscesses form at the tip of a tooth’s root, while others form in gum tissues around the infected tooth.
An abscess can be quite painful and lead to more serious issues. For example, the infection in the tooth can spread to vital organs, like the brain, where it can be life-threatening. An abscess is more likely to occur when a tooth’s pulp chamber has been compromised. This is the area that contains the tooth’s nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues. The area is sealed off to protect the soft tissues there. When the pulp chamber is opened up due to decay or an injury, bacteria can make their way into the pulp chamber, leading to issues like an infection or abscess.
Here are signs and symptoms that mean it is time to seek emergency dentistry care for an abscessed tooth:
Treatment options that a dentist might recommend for an abscessed tooth include the following.
A dentist might recommend treating abscess by draining the pus. This involves making an incision into the pus pocket and allowing its contents to drain out. The dentist typically follows that up by removing any dead tissues in the area and washing it with a saline solution.
Draining an abscess is not always an option. Dentists can also treat the infection by placing the patient on antibiotics. This helps fight the infection and can make local anesthetics more effective on the patient. Severe dental infections tend to block the effects of local anesthetics.
A root canal is one of the most effective ways to treat an infected tooth. The procedure involves removing the soft tissues in the pulp chamber and applying mediation there to kill any bacteria. The area is sealed with gutta-percha to prevent bacteria from re-infecting it.
Some patients wait longer than they should before getting treatment for their infected tooth. For some of these people, it might be too late to perform a root canal because the infection is starting to spread to other parts of the body, where it is a significantly more serious issue. Extracting the tooth in this scenario is the best way to safeguard the patient’s health. The extracted tooth can be replaced with an oral prosthetic, like an implant.
An abscessed tooth is a serious dental issue that should never be ignored. Doing so can lead to serious health conditions that can be life-threatening. Call or visit our Santa Clarita clinic to learn more about how we can fix your abscessed tooth.
Request an appointment here: https://perfectsmilesdentalstudio.com or call Perfect Smiles Dental Studio at (661) 551-1104 for an appointment in our Santa Clarita office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentistry in Santa Clarita, CA.
Infection control has become the top priority all over the globe as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control has established new guidelines for healthcare providers and dentists to follow as they continue to provide services for patients with the most pressing needs.The coronavirus is an airborne virus that is very…
Wondering how important an emergency dentist is when you are experiencing a dental emergency? They can mean the difference between you losing a tooth and saving a tooth.A dentist who decides to offer their patients emergency dental services is a dentist who understands the importance of immediate dental care. It will simply depend on the…
Oral issues that require immediate treatment are considered dental emergencies. Such problems can seems to occur at the worst moments possible, forcing someone to take time out of a busy daily schedule to safeguard their dental health and sanity.Most people do not spend much time thinking about dental emergencies until one happens to them. However,…
Daily oral hygiene is one of the most important things that a general dentist focuses on. Without a good oral hygiene routine, individuals are more likely to develop cavities or gum disease, both of which require treatments to solve. Having a good understanding of important daily oral hygiene can go a long way. Keep reading…
Restorative dentistry treatments can change your smile and oral health dramatically.
Traditional bridges are considered "fixed" dental appliances because they attach directly onto adjacent natural roots…
Preventive dentistry professionals recommend replacing a toothbrush every three to four months.
Extractions are typically recommended when other options are not enough to solve a patient’s problems.
When it comes to replacing lost teeth, there are many options available, including implant supported…
Most problems, from damaged teeth to a misaligned bite, can be resolved with dental restoration…
