Emergency Treatment for a Tooth Infection in Clearwater, FL
A tooth infection, or abscess, is the No. 1 reason people seek emergency dental care. Advanced decay, untreated gum disease, or chipped enamel can allow bacteria to collect in or around a tooth root, which contains sensitive nerve endings, blood vessels, and connective tissues. As a result, a painful tooth infection can develop.
Without immediate treatment, a severe tooth abscess can spread into the jawbone and lead to tooth loss, or enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Therefore, a tooth infection should be considered a dental emergency.
What Are the Signs of a Tooth Infection?
If you recognize the early warning signs of a tooth abscess, you can seek emergency dental treatment when necessary. This is important because it can potentially help you avoid serious and long-term oral health issues. Some common symptoms of tooth infection include:
- An excruciating toothache
- Dull pressure or throbbing sensations around a tooth
- A low-grade fever
- Tooth pain with or without chewing
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Swollen, red gums
- An open sore on your gum
- A bitter taste in your mouth
- Bad breath
- A swollen jaw
How Is a Tooth Infection Treated?
Treatment for tooth infection can vary depending on the underlying cause. Some options include:
- Draining the abscess – A dental professional will make a small incision in the gum near the infected tooth to drain the pus, then irrigate the area with a sterile saline solution.
- Antibiotic medication – A severe tooth infection can sometimes “neutralize” the effects of local anesthesia, making it difficult to sufficiently numb the treatment site before the abscess can be drained. In this situation, antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the infection first.
- Root canal therapy – This procedure involves the removal of the nerve, arteries, and vein at the center of a tooth root. In an infected tooth, a root canal can help drain the abscess and clear the infection. After the tooth heals, it can be strengthened and restored with a crown.
- Tooth extraction – A severely infected tooth that cannot be preserved may be extracted to drain the pus and promote healing.
Entrust Your Care to Florida Dental Centers
If you notice any symptoms of a tooth infection, contact Florida Dental Centers right away—don’t wait until your pain is unbearable. Whether you are an established patient or you are brand-new to our practice, we can arrange for you to see an experienced dentist at our office in Clearwater, FL, as soon as possible.
