Is a Dental Abscess An Emergency
A dental abscess is considered a dental emergency and, without treatment, could lead to conditions that require emergency medical attention. If you have a dental abscess, call your dentist right away; if it’s after hours, their answering service can provide contact information for an emergency dentist and can help guide your decisions for seeking care. While it may be okay to wait until the dentist’s office is open, if more serious symptoms arise, it’s a good idea to go to the emergency room. If you notice any of the symptoms of a dental abscess, it’s best to call your dentist sooner or later, rather than waiting for the pain to worsen or the infection to spread. Make sure you’re familiar with these warning signs so you can seek treatment for your dental abscess and prevent long-term consequences for your oral and overall health.
When a bacterial infection forms in the vital tissue in a tooth root or around the tooth, in the gums, the body produces pus. This pus fills the infected space, causing painful swelling and pressure that may radiate out from the tooth and into the face, neck, and jaw. Dental abscesses are most commonly caused by advanced damage or decay in a tooth, which allows bacteria to enter the tooth and colonize with infection. Untreated gum disease can also cause abscesses to form in between the gums and teeth, gradually spreading into the bones in the jaw. This often leads to tooth loss and may also encourage systemic infection.
To prevent the spread of infection and possibly preserve the natural teeth, seek dental treatment as soon as you suspect a dental abscess. Some early indicators of dental abscess include a throbbing, constant toothache, swelling or redness in the gums and possibly the jaw, a visible sore or visible pus in the mouth, sensitivity to temperature, and a bad smell and taste in the mouth. Treatment will vary from person to person, though most treatments focus on first draining the abscess and treating infection with antibiotics. Once infection is managed, a dental abscess might require a root canal treatment. This procedure removes infected pulp from within the tooth root and prepares the inside of the tooth to resist further infection. Once the infection has healed, the tooth is preserved with a protective dental crown. If the tooth is too damaged to save, it will be extracted and can be replaced with a dental implant or dental bridge.
If you have a fever, either after treatment for a dental abscess or while you’re waiting to see your dentist, or if your existing dental abscess is interfering with your ability to breath, swallow, or otherwise function properly, you may need to go to the hospital emergency room. Emergency medical attention can reduce the risks associated with systemic infection and make sure you’re healthy enough to undergo an emergency dental procedure. Of course, in an ideal situation, you’d do your best to prevent dental abscesses from forming in the first place by adhering to effective oral hygiene practices and seeing your dentist for regular checkups. If a dental abscess does form, however, pay attention to your symptoms and make sure you see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent the need for emergency medical care and free your mouth, and your body, of dangerous infection.