Emergency Dental Treatment

For A Tooth Abscess

Changing Your View Of Root Canals

Emergency dental treatment for a tooth abscess is a common occurrence. Each year millions of tooth abscesses are treated with root canal therapy. Pain and swelling many times will accompany a tooth infection that requires a root canal and create a dental emergency.

As an endodontist (root canal specialist) for 20+ years I have seen many patients for emergency dental treatment for tooth abscesses.

A tooth abscess is caused from a diseased pulp within the tooth. This is different from a gum abscess which is caused from periodontal disease.

Here is some information you need to know about tooth abscesses and the dental emergency:

Avoiding Emergency Dental Treatment

The best way to avoid a dental emergency is the prevention of tooth decay. Bacteria from tooth decay can infiltrate the dental pulp and cause a tooth infection. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental examinations is all that you can really do to avoid emergency dental treatment in this case.

Many tooth abscesses occur years after the tooth decay has been removed and a dental filling placed. There is nothing you can do to prevent a tooth infection that is caused by a filling or crown being placed on your tooth. So tooth decay prevention is the key!

Emergency Dental Treatment : Signs of A Tooth Abscess

Many times a dental emergency occurs with no prior warning at all. However there are times when you will   have some warning signs. These signs don't always point to a coming dental emergency but they do indicate you need to have your tooth examined by a dentist. Here's what to look for:

Temperature sensitivity. Temperature sensitivity is more a sign of an inflamed dental pulp than it is of a tooth infection. However, if you have severe and/or prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold then you may be on your way to a tooth abscess. You need to have this evaluated by your dentist.

Pain on biting. This may be a sign that you have a cracked tooth instead of a tooth abscess so get it checked by your dentist. Biting pain often is the first sign of a tooth infection and can be so severe that it causes you to seek emergency dental treatment. That's because an infection forms in the bone at the tip of the root. When you bite there is pressure on this area that causes pain.

Tooth feels like it hits first when you bite. The infection that forms at the tip of the root will actually raise the tooth out of the socket a small amount. This will  cause the tooth to hit first. This will often times be enough of an annoyance that it causes someone to seek emergency dental treatment.

Swelling in gum adjacent to tooth. This can be caused by something as simple as a popcorn husk being trapped in the gum beside your tooth. It is also a possible sign of a gum abscess and advanced periodontal disease. But it is also seen in tooth abscesses. Never ignore a swelling in your gums.

Bad taste in your mouth. Sometimes the first awareness of a tooth infection is a bad taste in your mouth.  This occurs when the infection surrounding the tooth begins to drain through the gum.

Emergency Dental Treatment : Two Options for A Tooth Abscess

Most people are disappointed when they learn they can't just take some medicine for their tooth infection. The problem with tooth abscesses is that the infected dental pulp is trapped within the hard structures of the tooth.

Therefore medications will not eliminate the problem. The infected dental pulp must be removed from your mouth to make sure the tooth abscess doesn't return.

There are only two options that accomplish this:

1.  Tooth extraction. Some teeth cannot be saved and must be extracted. The space left from tooth removal creates a problem for your adjacent and opposing teeth. It is therefore usually recommended to replace the extracted tooth as soon as possible. This is usually done with a dental implant or a bridge. Your dentist will help you decide on what is the best option.

2. Root Canal. If at all possible you should save your tooth with a root canal treatment. Most tooth abscesses can be satisfactorily treated and the tooth retained for the rest of your life. Root canals have a 95% success rate even at saving an infected tooth.

As an endodontist (root canal specialist) I know that nobody is excited about having a root canal. In fact some people are so nervous they decide to have their tooth extracted.

That's why I wrote The Relaxed Root Canal. In this short and easy-to-read book I answer over 80 questions that I've been asked about root canals. I also give you some practical tips on how to have a relaxing tooth experience.

If you seek emergency dental treatment you may very well  be told you need a root canal. BEFORE you have a root canal there is ONE QUESTION YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR DENTIST.

You must get a YES answer to this question. I discuss this very important question in Chapter 5.

I even give you my recommendation on what to do if you get a NO answer.

In Chapter 10 I tell you one home remedy you should NOT try before you seek emergency dental treatment. I've seen many people the day after they try this. It always makes your pain and swelling worse.

You can be reading The Relaxed Root Canal within a few minutes on your computer. For more information
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