Dental Abscess

It is impossible to ignore tooth pain or jaw pain. The hope is always that the discomfort will go away on its own, but if it’s a true dental problem the issue will not be resolved without the help of a professional. The biggest concern is that the pain is not an indication of a cavity but a serious tooth infection deep within the gums that develops into a dental abscess on the gums. Rely on Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions in Manhattan Beach, CA, to deliver the necessary emergency dental care when you are suffering.

What Is a Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess is an infection caused by bacteria that multiply and spread, forming a swollen area on the gums filled with pus. An abscess is incredibly painful and most often caused by untreated tooth decay, but it can also develop from a mouth injury or deteriorating dental work. When the conditions are ripe to allow foreign particles into a particular tooth, the likely fallout is an abscess.

Common Symptoms of a Dental Abscess

Though some symptoms of a dental abscess can masquerade as indications of other dental emergencies, there is no ignoring or mistaking the true signs of this problem. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your Manhattan Beach dentist immediately for an appointment:

• Pus-filled gumline
• Swollen gums
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Gum or tooth pain
• Tooth sensitivity
• Fever and chills

Never Try to Pop a Dental Abscess

If you have a raised bump on your gum of any size, do not try to pop it yourself. Breaking open an abscess does not make the problem go away or ease the pain, it only creates more health problems, serious ones. The abscess is filled with bacteria. Once the area is broken open, the bacteria can seep into the rest of your body and cause severe health complications in your jaw, neck, head, and body.

Always contact your local Manhattan Beach dental practice so they can diagnose your condition and drain the abscess properly. It will take time for the wound to heal, so you will be given a round of antibiotics to help combat any unwanted side effects.

Remember: An untreated dental abscess can be life-threatening. Even if it’s late at night or a weekend, don’t wait to contact your dentist for emergency dental care. Get the help you need when you need it.

Emergency Dental Care for an Abscess

Once the dental abscess is diagnosed and carefully treated, it will be time to undergo restorative dentistry to correct the problem. This may require one or several dental procedures depending on the severity of your case.

• Root canal therapy: Cleaning out the roots of the problem tooth is often the best line of defense against the current infection and future infections.
• Porcelain crown: After root canal therapy, a dental crown is placed over the treated tooth to cover it completely and protect it from additional complications.
• Tooth-colored filling: If you have a small abscess caused by minor tooth decay, you may only need a small restoration to repair the tooth and problem area.
• Tooth extraction: If a tooth is so badly infected that other dental restorations will not be robust enough to correct it, tooth extraction may be necessary to preserve your health. A dental implant or dental bridge can be applied later to replace the missing tooth.

Get Treatment for a Dental Abscess in Manhattan Beach

Always take tooth or gum pain seriously. If something doesn’t look right in your mouth, call Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions to discuss the circumstances. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so you don’t suffer the consequences of a popped dental abscess. Get the help you need right away – contact us immediately.