Don’t Ignore an Abscessed Tooth

If you have been ignoring that toothache, you could be asking for trouble. Your dentist explains that a toothache could become infected causing a dangerous abscess. 

Colgate explains that an abscessed tooth is usually a very painful infection, however occasionally you may have an abscessed tooth and not even be aware of it, especially if the pulp, which is the nerves, blood vessels and tissue inside of the tooth, has died.

An abscessed tooth is commonly caused by tooth decay, tooth trauma or if the tooth has been broken or is chipped. Gingivitis and periodontal disease could also be to blame for an abscessed tooth.

You may have an abscessed tooth if you are experiencing throbbing, shooting, or sharp pain in a particular tooth or surrounding teeth. Other signs and symptoms of an abscessed tooth include: 

• Pain when you chew
• Fever
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
• A bitter taste in your mouth
• Swollen glands in your neck
• General discomfort
• Chronic bad breath
• Upper or lower jaw swelling
• An open or draining sore on your gums 

As mentioned above if the pulp in the root of your tooth dies because of the infection your toothache may suddenly stop, however, that does not mean you that it has magically healed as the infection is still active and will continue to spread.

If you have been diagnosed with a tooth abscess, your dentist will come up with a strategy to help save the tooth and prevent additional complications.

To eliminate further infection, your dentist may drain the abscess with root canal therapy. Root surgery may also be needed to remove the root tissue that is infected. After the surgery or root canal therapy, your dentist will place a dental crown to help protect the tooth.

If the infection has severely damaged the tissue, your dentist may have to extract your tooth to allow for socket drainage. Your dentist may decide on an incision in the gum tissue to allow for drainage. This type of treatment also allows you to keep your tooth. Antibiotics will be prescribed as well to help fight off the infection.

The best way to avoid a nasty infection is to practice good oral hygiene that includes brushing twice and flossing once each day. Make sure that you eat a healthy diet and see your dentist twice a year.

If you would like more information regarding dental abscesses, or have a toothache that just won’t go away, call or click and speak to your dentist today. 

Celebrate National Facial Protection Month

It’s National Facial Protection month and that means it’s time to schedule an appointment with yourdentist for a custom made mouthguard.

Every April the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Association of Orthodontists, the Academy for Sports Dentistry and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, collaborate in order to promote this event. National Facial Protection Month is in place to raise the public’s awareness and remind athletes, coaches, and parents to play it safe and protect themselves during both group and individual sporting activities.

If you follow the Gentle Touch family Dentistry Blog, you will have learned what you can do in case of a dental emergency. Gentle Touch Family Dentistry also discussed the importance of a custom-made mouthguard. Mouthguards can help prevent teeth from being displaced, broken, cracked or knocked out. Mouthguards can also help block injuries to the tissues and the bones surrounding your teeth. Mouthguards can also help defend against lower jaw and TMJ injuries.

The American Academyof Pediatric Dentistry explains that nearly 39 percent of all dental injuries that occur each year in children and teens are caused by a direct hit or blow to the face because of player to player contact, or because of a hit to the face with a ball or hockey puck.

The associations have five tips to share that could help impede head and facial injuries:

1. Wear a mouthguard when playing any type of sports. Even surfers and skateboarders should invest in a custom-made mouthguard. Although a bit pricier than stock or boil and bite mouthguards, the cost is much less when you compare it to a trip to your dentist or the local hospital.

2. Helmets are essential as they not only absorb impact energy, but can also prevent head injuries.

3. Protective eyewear is imperative, as your eyes are very vulnerable to any type of damage, especially when playing recreational, amateur, or professional sports.

4. Wearing a face shield on the playing field can help you avoid bruised or scratched skin. Racquetballs, handballs, basketballs, and baseballs can cause serious damage to your face regardless of how old you are.

5. The associations sponsoring National Facial Awareness Month also believe that protective gear should be mandatory regardless of the sport. Boxers, hockey players, and football players are all required to wear some type of mouth protector. It has been proven that mouthguards actually help decrease oral injuries.

This spring join the rest of the nation for National Facial Awareness Month and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry who can fit out your entire family with custom-made mouthguards. Call or click today.