Treating Abscess Tooth Pain  

If a tooth becomes infected it can develop a severe abscess and this can be very painful. Tooth abscesses is usually cause by severe tooth decay but can result from trauma to the tooth (chipped or broken) and gum disease.

Why do tooth abscesses form?
Enamel is a hard coating that protects the sensitive dentine and root of the tooth. This enamel can be eroded over time and this can allow bacteria to spread into the rest of the tooth and the surrounding gum. If the bacteria infects the sensitive root of the tooth (the pulp) it can cause a lot of pain and an abscess can form. If left untreated the infection could spread even further into the bones supporting the tooth and this can be very painful and more difficult to treat. If you do have tooth pain you do need to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Abscess symptoms
Abscesses will cause severe and consistent tooth pain which can be exacerbated when eating or drinking anything hot or cold. If the infection is severe it can also cause fever, swollen neck glands and a swollen upper or lower jaw. Abscesses can also cause bad breath, a bitter taste in the mouth and a general feeling of ill health.

Diagnose Methods
When you see your dentist you need to tell them where the pain is localized. They will then check this area and the rest of your teeth and mouth. You may be asked if you feel more pain when you bite down or swallow. An x-ray may also be taken to see if the infection has damaged the bones around the tooth or spread to other teeth.

Abscess Treatment
A dentist will need to treat a tooth abscess. You may need a root canal if the nerves of the tooth have died and this will involve removing the pulp and filling the tooth with a synthetic substance. Antibiotics will be prescribed in most cases to fight the infection. Whilst you are waiting for your appointment you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen to help ease the pain and swelling.

You may also need a crown placed over the tooth if it has been significantly damaged or the tooth may need to be extracted completely.

 If the pulp of the tooth does dies before you can see your dentist then the tooth pain may stop. However this does not mean the infection has been cured. This will still continue to spread and could cause further infection to the gums, surrounding teeth and jaw bones. This is why it is still important to see your dentist if you have severe tooth pain, even it is seems to have gone away.