Is a persistent toothache keeping you awake at night? Maybe you’ve noticed a pimple-like bump on your gum near a tooth? You might have a dental abscess that will require an emergency dentist in North Naples to treat it. Even if the pain subsides or the abscess drains on its own, the underlying cause of the infection still hasn’t been resolved. Your dentist can stop the infection and save your tooth if you act quickly.
What is a Dental Abscess?
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms near the root of an infected tooth. It’s most often the result of an untreated cavity that has caused the decay to reach the inner layer of the tooth, called the pulp. The infection can also occur from an untreated fracture. Bacteria will slowly reach the inner layer of the tooth through the crack. In some cases, it can also be caused by gum disease, which is an infection in the gingival tissue that results from tartar buildup.
What are the Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth?
Signs of an infected tooth can occur gradually or suddenly. You might experience various symptoms, including:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness of the gum tissue
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Pain when chewing
• Jaw pain
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Pimple-like bump near a tooth
If you suspect you have an abscessed tooth, it’s best to contact your dentist right away to have it treated.
What Can I Do at Home?
Your dentist will get you into the office quickly, but you can provide first aid at home until your appointment. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage any discomfort and avoid chewing with your tooth. You can also use a salt water rinse to help keep your mouth clean and ease any inflammation.
How is an Abscessed Tooth Treated?
If you have a problematic tooth, you might think an extraction is best because it eliminates the problem at the source; however, this opens the door to a new list of complications. Instead, it’s best to save your tooth with root canal therapy.
The endodontic treatment extracts the inner layer of the tooth. After the pulp and decay are removed, your tooth is sterilized before being sealed with a special material called gutta-percha. This restores the health of your tooth, but it is still vulnerable to damage. To protect it and restore its function, a custom-made cap is bonded over its entire surface above the gum line, called a crown. It’s made of all-ceramic material to match the appearance of your natural teeth, so no one will know it isn’t your own.
Although root canals have a bad reputation for being painful, there’s nothing to fear because the latest innovations make the treatment virtually pain-free. You can stop your discomfort and save your tooth using the advanced dental solutions.
About Galleria Dentistry
Galleria Dentistry believes our patients are family, which is why we treat them like our own. We provide high-quality care to help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile. Besides general services, we also offer emergency care. If you need immediate treatment, contact our office today.