A dental abscess is an infection of the mouth, gums and teeth. The infection could also permeate to the jaw and cause considerable pain and discomfort. Most of the time dental abscesses occur due to poor oral hygiene and severely decayed teeth.
However, they are also known to occur in people who suffer from autoimmune disorders. Bacteria from the gums can enter the jaw, the cheek, beneath the tongue and other parts of the oral cavity to cause infection. Pus begins to form and the area becomes painful ad inflamed.
If it is not treated, it can become worse and may require surgical intervention to drain the pus. You can treat a tooth abscess without having to resort to surgery by some ways.
Best Treatment For A Tooth Abscess
Painkillers
One of the first things that can be done is to alleviate the pain arising from a dental abscess. Taking a strong painkiller can help people in most cases. The pain can be very intense starting from the tooth and gum and radiating all the way to the jaw. However, it is important to note that the painkillers will not address the infection.
Warm Water Rinses
In some cases, the abscess may rupture and the pus is released into the mouth. A warm water rinse will help to flush out the pus and the bacteria from the mouth. Take a glass of warm water and to it add half a teaspoon of salt. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with the concoction.
The salt will help to sterilize your mouth and give relief from pain. It will also take care of any superficial swelling that is left. Do saline water rinses or gargles at least 3-4 times a day for best results.
Surgery
In some very severe cases of tooth abscess, cutting open the abscess may be the only option. In this, the surgeon will administer some local anaesthetic and put a cut into the abscess to drain all the pus. The wound will be thoroughly cleaned and dressed. The patient will have to keep coming for regular doctor visits until the wound completely heals.
Antibiotics
The first line of treatment for a tooth abscess is the prescription of strong antibiotics. If the infection is in its initial stages, a round of antibiotics taken over a few days will help to arrest the infection and actually reverse the abscess. It will also minimize any pain that the patient may be feeling.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy may be used in conjunction with antibiotics especially if the infection emanated from the gums or the teeth. In this, the dentist will do a proper root canal procedure to numb and destroy the roots of the tooth so that the patient can feel no pain.
If decay is extensive, he/she may also remove the tooth completely. If caught early, the prognosis after a root canal is very good and the patient recovers very quickly.
Warm Compresses
If you do not have immediate access to a dentist, applying warm compresses to the side of the cheek can help you deal with the pain. The heat may also soften the inflamed tissue and allow it to rupture. Keep applying warm compresses throughout the day.
Ice Packs
If there is a lot of inflammation and your jaw has swollen up, it will be a good idea to apply an ice pack as this will help to bring down the swelling considerably. Speak to your doctor about continuing with the warm compresses and ice packs treatment.
Also Read
Natural Home Remedies For Treating Tooth Abscess
Treatment Options For A Dental Abscess
How To Deal With A Dental Abscess Safely
Practice Good oral Hygiene
It is very important to follow good oral hygiene to prevent tooth abscesses from forming. This includes brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning.
Overhaul your diet especially if you are eating too much of sugary, starchy and refined food which plays havoc with your teeth and leads to dental caries and cavities. Most people are slack and careless with their oral hygiene, which is why they come down with cavities, and tooth abscesses. However, the ordeal can be prevented by good oral hygiene.
Use An Antimicrobial Mouthwash
Once the abscess has drained and has started to heal, use a good antimicrobial mouthwash. This will prevent future build up of bacteria and germs especially while the wound is still healing.
Do not apply Aspirin Directly
Never apply aspiring directly to the affected area. This can burn the tissue and cause painful ulcers. If you are planning to take some aspirin orally, make sure that you first speak to the doctor.
Clove Oil Mouthwashes
You can use a clove oil mouthwash, which acts like an antimicrobial solution and also helps to relieve pain. Put just 2-3 drops of clove oil into the warm water and make sure you rinse your mouth effectively. The clove oil will also help to numb the pain and bring relief.
Used Tea Bags
Place a used tea bag on the site of the infection. The tannin from the tea helps to reduce the infection considerably.
Garlic
Garlic too is very popular for its anti-bacterial properties. It has been widely used in the treatment of infections. Taking garlic in the form of pills along with your regular course of antibiotics helps in dealing with the infection.
Alternately, you can crush some garlic with a pestle and apply the crushed garlic directly on the area of the infection. It might burn initially but it will give long-term relief and make you feel a lot better.
Turmeric Rinse
Boil some water and let it cool down until it becomes tepid. Add half a teaspoon of turmeric to this water. Mix well. Rinse your mouth well by swishing the turmeric water inside your mouth.
This will help to arrest the infection and kill all the bacteria. It is a good remedy for dealing with tooth abscesses. In fact, you can follow this routine on a daily basis, to protect your mouth and gums from tooth abscesses.
These are some of the ways by which you can treat a tooth abscess. Prevention by following scrupulous oral hygiene will save you a lot of unnecessary pain and costly dental visits.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.