Why a Dental Abscess Is Always an Emergency

You have mouth or tooth pain, a noticeable swollen area on your gums, and swelling and tenderness in your jaw. Together, these symptoms are signs of a dental abscess. This problem is not something that will go away on its own. No dental abscess will ever just fade away. You need your dentist’s emergency care to get the rid of this painful infection without experiencing further harm.

The Cause of a Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a painful tooth infection caused by bacteria. It starts deep within the pulp of a tooth, then multiplies and spreads to the tooth root and eventually forms a swollen abscess on the gums. Untreated tooth decay is the most common cause of an abscess, but deteriorating dental work and mouth injuries can cause this problem too. If any foreign particles find their way inside a tooth, that’s when things get serious.

You may be tempted to pop a painful abscess in your mouth just like a pimple on your skin but resist the urge. This exercise won’t be satisfying. Popping an abscess will allow the pus inside to seep through your mouth, into the bloodstream, and take the infection throughout your body. A dental abscess is serious, and it can only be repaired with the help of your Chandler dentist.

Emergency Dentistry for a Dental Abscess

That telltale dental abscess needs to be addressed properly and thoroughly to prevent the rest of your body from suffering the consequences of its presence. Professional dental care prevents the infection in the abscess from spreading to the jaw, neck, and body. An untreated dental abscess can be life-threatening.

Here is what you can expect from an emergency dentistry appointment for a dental abscess.

  • Thorough examination.
  • Careful draining of the abscess.
  • Restorative dentistry
  • A round of antibiotics.
  • Healing time
  • Additional dental care


Potential Dental Care for a Dental Abscess

Once the abscess has been carefully drained, the work continues. Your dentist needs to identify the source of the bacteria and address it immediately to truly end the problem. Some patients need several dental treatments to correct the problems caused by an abscess. The severity of each case will vary and dental care could include the following emergency treatments:

  • Root canal therapy: Often the best course of action for an infection within a tooth, root canal therapy is the cleaning out of the roots and prevention of future infection.
  • Porcelain crown: Any tooth that undergoes root canal therapy typically requires a porcelain crown to cap it and protect it from reinfection.
  • Tooth-colored filling: If an abscess is small and it’s determined that its cause was minor tooth decay, a tooth-colored filling may be all that’s needed to correct it.
  • Tooth extraction: A severely infected tooth may not be able to be saved and it needs to be extracted immediately to save your oral health and your overall well-being.


Get Help for a Dental Abscess Immediately

If you suspect that you’re suffering from a dental abscess, contact Impressions Dental in Chandler, AZ, to be seen immediately and get the emergency dental care you need.