I Think I May Have an Abscessed Tooth. Is That an Emergency?
Posted on 7/1/2024 by Parkside Dental
It can be hard sometimes to decide when you have a problem with one of your teeth if it constitutes an emergency or if it can wait a few days for an appointment with one of our dentists. One type of dental problem that can cause a dental emergency is an abscessed tooth.
What Is an Abscessed Tooth?
Abscessed teeth occur due to an infection when a pocket of pus forms at the infection site. The abscess can be near the gumline, in the tooth and gum tissue, or at the base of the tooth root, which anchors teeth to the jawbone through the gum tissue.
What Are the Warning Signs of an Abscessed Tooth?
You may begin to run a low-grade fever, which is usually a sign of illness or infection. Also, you may notice you have swollen lymph nodes in your neck directly underneath your jawbone. One of the most prominent signs of an abscessed tooth is jaw pain.
When Is an Abscessed Tooth a Serious Condition?
While abscessed teeth represent a potentially serious condition, there are also signs that indicate an abscessed tooth is a genuine emergency. First, if you have a fever in excess of 102 degrees, along with severe tooth pain and swelling in your mouth, it is time to call our dentist as soon as possible. If an abscessed tooth continues to worsen, it can lead to sepsis, an infection of your blood, and is potentially a life-threatening issue.
How Is an Abscessed Tooth Treated?
If you have an abscessed tooth, you need to call our dentist so that you can come in for treatment. Usually, the first step in treating an abscessed tooth is to clear up the infection with medication. After your tooth abscess is getting better, our dentist can then decide on a course of treatment, which may be a root canal or tooth removal. You can help your tooth abscess by taking the antibiotics our dentist prescribes and sticking to soft foods while your abscess is healing. If you are not sure whether you have an infected tooth or not, we can help. Call our office immediately, and we can set an appointment for you.
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It can be hard sometimes to decide when you have a problem with one of your teeth if it constitutes an emergency or if it can wait a few days for an appointment with one of our dentists. One type of dental problem that can cause a dental emergency is an abscessed tooth.