A tooth infection (aka dental abscess) is a condition where pus garners in or nearby the tooth. Endodontic tooth infections occur from the inside of the tooth, mainly when a serious cavity or crack creates a home for the bacteria. However, a periodontal dental abscess occurs from the structures surrounding the tooth.
An untreated infection in the tooth can move to other body regions. For example, if it spreads to the bloodstream, it causes septicemia (a dangerous condition). Getting prompt treatment from the
emergency dentist near you not just gives pain relief but prevents complications too.
When Does a Tooth Infection Turn into a Dental Emergency?
When an infection occurs in the tooth, a pocket of pus forms. It is known as an abscess. This condition causes unbearable pain and results in other complications. When the tooth infection spreads to the brain, it can be dangerous. As you know, our tooth pulp includes nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels.
Once the pulp chamber gets compromised, the bacteria enter and lead to an infection. Although the dentist treats a dental abscess using a root canal procedure, he/she recommends tooth extraction in serious cases.
The following symptoms indicate you need the help of the
dentist in Chicago, IL for emergency dental service:
- Inflammation in the gums.
- Tooth sensitivity.
- Severe pain when chewing food.
- Bad taste in the mouth.
How Does the Emergency Dentist Fix a Tooth Infection?
Dentist 60616 may recommend the following treatment for your infected tooth. Depending on your dental condition, you may get multiple treatments:
Root Canal
Root canal therapy is one of the most common ways of addressing an infected tooth. It is beneficial if the infection is present inside the tooth. During this dental procedure, the dentist will drain the dental abscess and eliminate all the infected tissues. Once done, he/she seals the tooth and adds a crown if required.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines that help to kill the bacteria in the mouth. Patients need to stick to the dosage and timing instructions carefully. Failure to do that could cause the infection symptoms to re-occur with time.
Drainage
If the dentist finds an infection visible, he/she creates a tiny incision in the gum tissue. It allows the pus to drain out from the wound. Then, the professional rinses the wound using a saline solution to eradicate the leftover bacteria.
During drainage, the dentist will eliminate every necrotic tissue. If the infection has destroyed certain oral tissues permanently, the expert may perform a debridement procedure to remove it.
Tooth Extraction
The dentist at
Family Dental Care – Chicago recommends the extraction of an infected tooth if all other treatment choices fail. When the patient ignores the treatment for the dental abscess for a long time, root canal therapy may not be sufficient to stop it.
A tooth extraction procedure is the ultimate way to keep up with dental health. The dentist might use tooth replacement choices to replace an extracted tooth immediately. It might include a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture.
Why Receive Dental Emergency Care or Tooth Infection?
Those with an infected tooth must see the emergency dentist for the following reasons:
Keep Up with the General Health
Pain caused by a tooth infection can cause complications like exhaustion, headache, and sleeping issues. It can also result in stress on the immune system, which makes the body’s defense against fighting other diseases weak.
Prevents the Loss of Tooth
The infection from the tooth may spread to the roots. When this happens, the tooth gets dead and may need an extraction procedure.
Avoid the Spread of Infection
The oral infection can move to the sinuses. Since the sinus area is warm and moist, the tooth infection can speedily spread. Failure to get the treatment could decline your dental health. Although tooth infection is not dangerous, it can be.
The bacteria can move to the circulatory system. It can reach the essential organs – the brain and heart. Even a slight infection is sufficient to re-begin the formation of an abscess. If an individual experience multiple tooth infections within 12 months, it can signify a more serious issue.
