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#Post#: 2471--------------------------------------------------
Dental Abscess
DIR By: lubhan
Date: December 16, 2016, 5:04 am
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[size=12pt]A dental abscess is an infection of the mouth, face,
jaw, or throat that begins as a tooth infection or cavity. These
infections are common in people with poor dental health and
result from lack of proper and timely dental care.
* Bacteria from a cavity can extend into the gums, the
cheek, the throat, beneath the tongue, or even into the jaw or
facial bones. A dental abscess can become very painful when
tissues become inflamed.
* Pus collects at the site of the infection and will become
progressively more painful until it either ruptures and drains
on its own or is drained surgically.
* Sometimes the infection can progress to the point where
swelling threatens to block the airway, causing difficulty
breathing. Dental abscesses can also make you generally ill,
with nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, and sweats.
Dental Abscess Causes
The cause of these infections is direct growth of the bacteria
from an existing cavity into the soft tissues and bones of the
face and neck.
An infected tooth that has not received appropriate dental care
can cause a dental abscess to form. Poor oral hygiene, (such as
not brushing and flossing properly or often enough) can cause
cavities to form in your teeth. The infection then may spread to
the gums and adjacent areas and become a painful dental abscess.
Dental Abscess Symptoms
* Symptoms of a dental abscess typically include pain,
swelling, and redness of the mouth and face. With an advanced
infection, you can suffer nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and
diarrhea.
* The signs of dental abscess typically include, but are not
limited to, cavities, gum inflammation, oral swelling,
tenderness with touch, pus drainage, and sometimes difficulty
fully opening your mouth or swallowing.
When to Seek Medical Care
If you think you have an abscess, call your dentist. If you
cannot reach a dentist, go to a hospital's Emergency Department
for evaluation, especially if you feel sick.
* If an infection becomes so painful that it cannot be
managed by nonprescription medicines, see your doctor or dentist
for drainage.
* If you develop fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or
diarrhea as a result of a dental abscess, see your doctor.
If you have intolerable pain, difficulty breathing or
swallowing, any of the symptoms of a dental abscess, or you
cannot reach your doctor or dentist during off hours, go to a
hospital's emergency department for evaluation and treatment. By
seeking treatment before your symptoms progress to this stage,
you can avoid emergency department visits.
Exams and Tests
A doctor or dentist can determine by physical examination if you
have a drainable abscess. X-rays of the teeth may be necessary
to show small abscesses that are at the deepest part of the
tooth. Signs observed by the doctor, including nausea, vomiting,
fever, chills, or diarrhea, may indicate that the infection has
progressed to the point where it is making your whole body sick.
Dental Abscess Treatment
Self-Care at Home
* People who have cavities or toothaches can take nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or
naproxen (Aleve), as needed for relief of pain and inflammation.
* If an abscess ruptures by itself, warm water rinses will help
cleanse the mouth and encourage drainage.
Medical Treatment
The doctor may decide to cut open the abscess and allow the pus
to drain. Unless the abscess ruptures on its own, this is the
only way that the infection can be cured. People with dental
abscesses are typically prescribed pain relievers and, at the
discretion of the doctor, antibiotics to fight the infection. An
abscess that has extended to the floor of the mouth or to the
neck may need to be drained in the operating room under
anesthesia.
Follow-up
With dental abscess, as with each and every illness, comply with
your doctor's instructions for follow-up care. Proper treatment
often means reassessment, multiple visits, or referral to a
specialist. Cooperate with your doctors by following
instructions carefully to ensure the best possible health for
you and your family.
Prevention
Prevention plays a major role in maintaining good dental health.
Daily brushing and flossing, and regular dental checkups can
prevent tooth decay and dental abscess.
* Remember to brush and floss after every meal and at bedtime.
* If tooth decay is discovered early and treated promptly,
cavities that could develop into abscesses can usually be
corrected.
* Avoidance of cigarette smoking and excess alcohol consumption
can help too.
Outlook
The prognosis is good for resolution of a small dental abscess,
once it has ruptured or been drained. If the symptoms are
improving, it is unlikely that the infection is getting worse.
Proper follow-up care with your dentist is mandatory for
reassessment of your infection and for taking care of the
problem tooth.
* Care might include pulling the tooth or having a
root canal performed on it.
* Dental abscesses that have extended to the floor
of the mouth or to the neck can threaten a person's airway and
ability to breathe and may be life-threatening unless they are
properly drained.
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