The pain from an abscess toothache is not a usual toothache pain. A mild toothache pain typically comes and goes while a pain from an abscess is constant and severe. If the severe toothache pain from an abscess is simply ignored or not treated right away, it can lead to serious complications if the infection spreads all over the body. Always remember that prompt dental care is required if the individual experiences the symptoms from an abscessed tooth.
Identifying the condition
A tooth abscess can develop due to an infection of the gum or tooth. The infection can occur as a result of a tooth decay or trauma to the tooth. The infection can cause the development of pus inside the tooth or gum line, thus triggering the abscess toothache.
What are the types?
The pain from an abscess toothache can be caused by three kinds of abscesses – periapical, periodontal and gingival. When it comes to a periapical abscess, it starts in the pulp in the middle of the tooth. A periodontal abscess starts in the bone tissues that support the teeth while a gingival abscess occurs once the abscess only affects the soft gum tissues.
Symptoms
When it comes to an abscess toothache, it is a painful, throbbing toothache. There is piercing pain that can occur in the tooth itself, ear, neck or the jaw. Other symptoms that can develop include sensitivity to hot or cold, bad breath, difficulty opening the mouth, difficulty swallowing, pain when eating and bad taste in the mouth.
If the infection progresses, the individual can develop fever and swelling in the jaw or neck. The abscess toothache can start abruptly and intensifies after several hours or days. By enrolling in a first aid course, you can learn how to provide relief to the individual.
Treatment for an abscess toothache
In some cases, the dentist will remove the pulp and nerve from the affected tooth during a root canal procedure. Take note that the procedure is effective in preventing the infection from worsening as well as saving the tooth. An abscess that affects the gum line and bone would require drainage. In case an abscess on the gums develops due to the buildup of plaque, dental cleaning is recommended. In most cases, antibiotics are used along with other treatment options to deal with the infection. As for the abscess toothache pain, it can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications for pain.
Considerations to bear in min
If the pain from an abscess toothache is ignored, it can lead to life-threatening complications. The possible complications that can develop if the condition is not treated early include bacterial blood infection, tooth loss and the inflammation of the space in between the gums. The infection has the potential to spread to the soft tissues of the face and mouth as well as capable of causing brain abscesses, pneumonia and other serious conditions.