What Is a Tooth Abscess?
August 25, 2022 11:18 pm
If you’re experiencing throbbing tooth pain coupled with a strange taste in your mouth, you could have a tooth abscess. A tooth abscess is a sac of pus that typically forms at the root of the tooth, located deep under the gum line.
Tooth abscesses typically form because of an untreated cavity whose infection has spread to the root of the tooth, but they can also form because of trauma or injury to the tooth.
Signs & Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess
Warning signs of a tooth abscess can include: a sharp, throbbing, and unrelenting toothache that can spread across your entire jawbone; increased tooth sensitivity; pain or uncomfortable pressure when biting down or chewing; swelling around the tooth or in your face; fever; foul odor in your mouth; and foul taste in your mouth.
Tooth Abscess Treatment
A tooth abscess must be drained and the infected tissue must be removed. Root canal therapy cleans out the infected innermost tissue of your tooth, called the pulp, to preserve your natural outer tooth structure. The pulp is replaced with a special biocompatible material. At the end of the treatment, you may receive a crown over your existing tooth to improve its strength and functionality.
While root canals have a bad reputation for being long and painful, modern technology has made this procedure virtually painless and able to be completed fairly quickly!
How to Prevent a Tooth Abscess
To prevent a tooth abscess, we recommend you: brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time; floss every day; maintain a balanced diet that is low in added sugar and with no more than 45%-65% of total calories being from carbohydrates; visit our office at least twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups; avoid smoking and tobacco products; and drink plenty of water.
Having the aforementioned healthy habits can save you time and money in the dental chair! However, if you do need root canal therapy, we offer flexible financing to make your treatment affordable!
Root Canal Therapy in Wilmington, NC
If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess, please contact us right away. We’ll come up with a game plan to help you find relief and to preserve your smile!
