How does a tooth infection spread to the body. What are the symptoms of a tooth abscess spreading. Can a tooth infection cause fever and headaches. How to prevent dental abscesses and maintain oral health.

The Hidden Dangers of Tooth Infections: More Than Just a Toothache

Dental health is often overlooked, but its importance cannot be overstated. A simple toothache can escalate into a life-threatening situation if left untreated. Tooth infections, particularly abscesses, can spread to other parts of the body, causing a range of serious complications. Understanding the signs and symptoms of a spreading tooth infection is crucial for timely intervention and prevention of potentially fatal outcomes.

What is a Tooth Abscess? Understanding the Root of the Problem

A tooth abscess is essentially a pocket of pus that forms within a tooth or surrounding tissues. It typically occurs at the root tip but can develop anywhere in the tooth structure. Common symptoms of a tooth abscess include:

• Persistent, throbbing toothache
• Sudden sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Pain when chewing or biting
• Facial swelling
• A visible pus-filled bump on the gum line near the affected tooth
• Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw

While a tooth abscess can be treated relatively easily by a dentist through drainage and possibly a root canal, ignoring these symptoms can lead to more severe complications.

The Spread of Infection: When a Toothache Becomes a Medical Emergency

An untreated tooth abscess can rupture, leading to a sudden foul taste or salty fluid in the mouth. While this may provide temporary relief from pain, it’s often a sign that the infection is spreading. If the infection enters the bloodstream, it can cause sepsis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

5 Critical Signs of a Spreading Tooth Infection

1. General malaise and fatigue
2. Fever or low body temperature
3. Persistent or worsening facial swelling
4. Increased heart and breathing rates
5. Dehydration and stomach pain

These symptoms indicate that the infection has spread beyond the localized area of the tooth and requires emergency medical intervention.

The Tooth-Headache Connection: Can Dental Problems Trigger Migraines?

Many people wonder: can an abscessed tooth cause headaches? The answer is yes. As a tooth infection spreads, it can lead to referred pain in other areas of the head and face. This pain can manifest as a persistent headache or even mimic migraine symptoms.

The connection between dental issues and headaches is often overlooked, but it’s a significant one. Dental problems can trigger or exacerbate headaches through various mechanisms:

• Nerve irritation: Infected teeth can irritate nearby nerves, causing pain to radiate to other parts of the head.
• Muscle tension: Dental pain often leads to clenching or changes in bite patterns, causing tension in the jaw and facial muscles that can result in headaches.
• Sinus pressure: Upper tooth infections can spread to the sinuses, causing pressure and headaches.
• Systemic inflammation: As the body fights the infection, overall inflammation increases, which can contribute to headache symptoms.

From Toothache to Fever: The Systemic Effects of Dental Infections

Can a tooth infection cause fever? Absolutely. A fever is one of the body’s primary defense mechanisms against infection. When a tooth abscess spreads, it can trigger a systemic response, including an elevated body temperature.

A persistent fever above 101째F (38.3째C) or a drop in temperature below 96.8째F (36째C) can indicate the onset of sepsis. Other fever-related symptoms may include:

• Chills and shivering
• Sweating
• General weakness
• Loss of appetite

It’s crucial to monitor body temperature if you suspect a spreading tooth infection and seek immediate medical attention if fever persists or is accompanied by other severe symptoms.

The Silent Spread: Recognizing Subtle Signs of a Worsening Dental Infection

While some symptoms of a spreading tooth infection are obvious, others can be more subtle. Paying attention to these less apparent signs can be crucial in preventing serious complications:

• Difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth
• Swelling in the neck or under the chin
• Skin that feels hot to the touch around the affected area
• Unusual taste in the mouth, even without a visible abscess rupture
• Difficulty concentrating or confusion

These symptoms may indicate that the infection is spreading to deeper tissues or affecting the body systemically. Early recognition and treatment are key to preventing more severe outcomes.

Prevention is Key: Maintaining Optimal Oral Health to Avoid Dental Emergencies

Preventing dental abscesses and other oral infections is far preferable to treating them. A robust oral hygiene routine is the foundation of dental health. Here are essential steps to maintain optimal oral health:

• Brush teeth thoroughly twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss at least once a day to remove plaque between teeth
• Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacterial growth
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if bristles are frayed
• Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings
• Limit sugar intake and maintain a balanced diet
• Address dental issues promptly, even if they seem minor

By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing tooth infections and their potentially serious complications.

When to Seek Emergency Care: Recognizing Dental Red Flags

Understanding when to seek emergency care for a dental problem can be life-saving. While not all dental issues require immediate attention, certain symptoms should never be ignored:

• Severe, uncontrolled pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• Significant swelling of the face, jaw, or neck
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• High fever accompanied by dental pain
• Signs of dehydration, such as dark urine or extreme thirst
• Confusion or disorientation

If you experience any of these symptoms in conjunction with a toothache or dental abscess, seek emergency medical care immediately. Remember, a dental infection that spreads to the bloodstream can quickly become life-threatening.

The Importance of Timely Intervention

Early treatment of dental infections not only prevents serious complications but also increases the chances of saving the affected tooth. Delaying treatment can lead to more extensive and costly procedures, or even tooth loss. Additionally, prompt treatment reduces the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body.

Beyond the Dentist’s Chair: The Role of Overall Health in Dental Wellness

While oral hygiene is crucial, it’s important to recognize that dental health is intrinsically linked to overall health. Certain systemic conditions can increase the risk of dental problems, including infections:

• Diabetes: Can impair the body’s ability to fight infections, including those in the mouth
• Autoimmune disorders: May affect the body’s defense against oral bacteria
• Cardiovascular disease: Poor dental health has been linked to an increased risk of heart problems
• Osteoporosis: Can affect the density of the jawbone, potentially impacting dental health

Managing these conditions and maintaining good overall health can contribute significantly to dental wellness. Regular medical check-ups, a balanced diet, adequate hydration, and stress management all play a role in supporting both general and oral health.

The Mouth-Body Connection

The relationship between oral health and overall health is bidirectional. Not only can systemic conditions affect oral health, but poor oral health can also impact various bodily systems. Chronic dental infections have been associated with increased risks of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Pregnancy complications
• Respiratory infections
• Diabetes complications

This underscores the importance of viewing dental care as an integral part of overall health maintenance, rather than an isolated aspect of personal hygiene.

Navigating Dental Anxiety: Overcoming Barriers to Oral Health Care

Dental anxiety is a common barrier that prevents many people from seeking timely dental care. This fear can lead to neglect of oral health, increasing the risk of serious dental problems, including abscesses and infections. Addressing dental anxiety is crucial for maintaining good oral health and preventing complications.

Strategies for Managing Dental Anxiety

• Communication: Openly discuss your fears with your dentist
• Relaxation techniques: Practice deep breathing or meditation before and during appointments
• Distraction methods: Use headphones to listen to music or audiobooks during treatment
• Sedation options: Discuss with your dentist about available sedation methods for more comfortable procedures
• Gradual exposure: Start with simple check-ups and gradually work up to more complex procedures
• Choose the right dentist: Find a provider who specializes in treating anxious patients

Remember, modern dentistry offers many pain-free and minimally invasive options. Regular check-ups can catch problems early, reducing the need for more extensive and potentially anxiety-inducing procedures in the future.

The Future of Dental Care: Innovations in Preventing and Treating Infections

As dental science advances, new technologies and treatments are emerging to better prevent and treat dental infections. These innovations offer hope for more effective, less invasive, and potentially anxiety-reducing dental care:

• Antimicrobial materials: Development of dental materials with built-in antibacterial properties to reduce infection risk
• Laser therapy: Use of lasers for more precise and less invasive treatment of dental infections
• Probiotics: Research into beneficial oral bacteria that could help prevent harmful bacterial growth
• Advanced imaging: Better diagnostic tools for early detection of dental problems
• Nanotechnology: Potential for targeted drug delivery and enhanced dental materials
• AI and machine learning: Improved diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment planning

These advancements promise to make dental care more effective, comfortable, and accessible, potentially reducing the incidence of severe dental infections and their complications.

The Role of Teledentistry

Teledentistry, the use of telecommunications technology for dental care, consultation, and education, is also playing an increasing role in dental health management. It offers several benefits:

• Improved access to dental care, especially in underserved areas
• Early screening and triage of dental problems
• Convenient follow-up care and monitoring
• Reduced anxiety for patients who fear dental visits
• Enhanced patient education and preventive care

While teledentistry cannot replace all in-person dental care, it can serve as a valuable tool for early detection and management of dental issues, potentially preventing the progression of infections to more serious stages.

5 Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Rest of the Body

Did you know that you can die from a toothache? That’s a sobering thought.

Most of the time toothaches are caused by infections that are merely painful inconveniences. But if the infection worsens and spreads to the rest of the body, it can be serious. For a small number of people, it’s even deadly.

To avoid this happening to you, you can simply learn the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to the body. Then you’ll know when to seek immediate medical attention for your annoying toothache.

What Is a Tooth Abscess?

First of all, let’s talk about what a tooth abscess is. Simply put, it is a pocket of pus in your tooth. Though it can occur anywhere in your tooth, it is common to see it at the tip of the tooth’s root.

The following symptoms are indicators that you have an abscess.

• A nagging toothache
• Sudden, extreme sensitivity to hot or cold
• Sensitivity while chewing and biting
• Facial swelling
• A pocket of pus (like a large pimple) on your gum line near the affected tooth
• Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw

With proper treatment, a tooth abscess doesn’t normally get too severe. Your dentist will simply drain the infection. To save the tooth, you may need a root canal. It’s not the most fun way to spend an afternoon, but it’s a relatively simple fix.

What Are The Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Body?

If an abscess ruptures, you may notice a sudden foul taste or even salty fluid in your mouth. You’ll probably also notice that your pain subsides and think that you are out of the woods.

Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily true.

The rupture can be one of the first signs that the infection is beginning to spread. If it enters the bloodstream it can cause a serious condition called sepsis. This is when things get life-threatening.

If you notice the rupture, seek medical help immediately. However, the abscess won’t always rupture on its own. Or it may rupture when the problem has already become quite severe.

Thus, if you notice any of these other 5 symptoms, even without an obvious rupture, you should seek emergency medical help at once.

1. Feeling Unwell

The first thing you may notice is that you start to feel unwell. That nagging toothache may turn into a nagging headache. The pain may also travel up your jawbone and into your ear.

You may also notice that you start to feel fatigued like you are about to come down with something. In some cases, you may have bouts of dizziness as the pain and infection interfere with the workings of your inner ear.

2. Fever

Fever is your body’s natural defense against infection. A body temperature that is too high is a hostile environment for many of the bacteria that cause infection. Thus, your body is attempting to kill off the invaders.

The trouble is that a high body temperature isn’t necessarily good for your body and the good things in it either. If your fever stays consistently above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, this could be an indication that sepsis is beginning to set in. Likewise, a drop in temperature below 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit could also be a symptom.

You may also experience chills and shivering–classic fever symptoms.

3. Swelling

Minimal swelling in your face is a normal symptom of the abscess. But if it persists or you are not able to get in to see your dentist, go to the emergency room.

Left untreated it can begin to affect your breathing and swallowing. Not only is this a sign that the infection is spreading, but also it can be life-threatening if it closes off your airway enough.

4. Increased Heart and Breathing Rate

Do you notice that your heart starts beating faster than normal? What about your breathing? Do you feel like you’re panting to get enough air?

Both of these are indications that sepsis is beginning to set in. If this happens to you, don’t wait to get in to see your dentist. You need to see a doctor right away.

5. Dehydration and Stomach Pain

You may notice that you don’t have to pee very much. And when you do, your urine is a darker color than normal. This means that you’re getting dehydrated and moving into the second stage of sepsis.

You may also begin to experience stomach pain and even diarrhea and vomiting. Both of these symptoms will speed your rate of dehydration and cause even more severe problems.

Prevention

Knowing how to avoid an abscess altogether is even better than knowing the symptoms of one that’s spreading. Be sure to maintain good oral health habits like these.

• Brush twice a day
• Floss at least once a day
• Use mouthwash to help kill unwanted bacteria
• Swap out your toothbrush for a new one every 3-4 months
• Visit your dentist as recommended
• Avoid eating too much sugar

These are all simple tips that should already be a regular part of your oral care routine. If not, though, maybe learning about the seriousness of an abscess and what a tooth infection can do to you will be a motivating factor.

Stay Healthy!

Do yourself a favor. Know these symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to the body so you’ll know what to watch out for. And practice good oral hygiene and health every day to reduce the risk of ever having to deal with something as unpleasant as an abscessed tooth, root canal, or sepsis.

Looking for a new dentist? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us today to learn about and schedule preventative services. We also provide emergency care if you think you may already have an abscess that needs to be taken care of.

3 Dental Issues That Can Cause Headache Symptoms

Approximately 50 percent of adults worldwide experience some form of headache at least once a year, with up to 4 percent of the global population suffering from headaches at least 15 days out of each month. Many of these sufferers may never realize, however, that their dental health may cause or worsen their headache symptoms.

If you find yourself struggling with unexplained headaches, you may need to evaluate your teeth or jaw for any underlying conditions that might factor into your pain. Discover three such issues that can play a role in acute or chronic headaches.

1. Tooth Damage

Any tooth damage that exposes sensitive nerve tissue can cause pain. However, this pain may not limit itself to the affected tooth. Pain in the tooth’s nerve pulp can travel along the trigeminal nerve to other parts of the head, resulting in what feels like a classic tension headache.

In some unlucky individuals, nerve pain from tooth damage can trigger an even more severe form of headache known as migraine. Migraines can cause intense, throbbing pain on one side of the head. They may also produce such diverse symptoms as light or sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.

A cracked, broken, or severely worn tooth should receive prompt professional care, not only to guard against infection and improve function but also to prevent or relieve pain. Permanent crowns can cover and protect damaged enamel, safeguarding the nerve tissue against unwelcome stimuli and preventing additional damage.

2. Infections and Abscesses

In addition to triggering nerve pain, a fractured or decayed tooth can also develop a painful bacterial infection. The bacteria invades and destroys the sensitive pulp chamber of the tooth, causing symptoms such as pain, fever, and swelling. It can also invade the jaw, resulting in an abscess.

Diseased nerve tissue can transfer pain to the face or head just as easily as acute damage to the tooth enamel. An abscess in the upper jaw can also produce an acute sinus infection, causing debilitating sinus or migraine headaches. Other complications may range from major organ infections to meningitis.

Fortunately, you can avoid the worst of these complications by treating that nagging toothache as quickly as possible. Root canal therapy can often save even a seriously infected tooth, while antibiotics can clear up any infection in surrounding tissues. As the infection recedes, so will your headaches.

3. Bruxism

The unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth can produce chronic headaches. This problem, known as bruxism, typically occurs during sleep. Emotional stress and alignment problems between the top and bottom teeth can fatigue the jaw muscles, wear down the enamel, or even lead to tooth fractures.

The tooth damage from bruxism can transfer nerve pain from the teeth into the face and head. Meanwhile, strain on the jaw muscles can cause pain that spreads from these muscles to your head, resulting in a TMJ-related tension headache.

Bruxism can also contribute to sleep apnea, a condition in which you stop breathing for brief periods multiple times per night during sleep. Sleep apnea may create oxygen deprivation and changes in blood vessel diameter that lead to morning headaches, a common problem among the condition’s sufferers.

Your dentist can help you ward off bruxism-related headaches. You may need to have a custom night guard fitted to reduce overnight jaw tension and enamel wear. Night guards that keep your jaws in a healthier alignment may also reduce sleep apnea, helping you avoid troublesome morning headaches.

If you suspect that your headache problem might actually stem from a dental problem, start your search for solutions at New England Dental Health Services P. C. Contact our Orange or Meriden office to schedule an evaluation and learn more about dental treatment for headaches.

Can a toothache cause a headache? Everything you need to know

If you have a headache and a toothache at the same time, the question often arises whether the two are related. There is a possibility that the cause of the headache is toothache. It’s also possible that both are symptoms of an undiagnosed health condition, such as a sinus infection or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease.

Migraine headaches and toothache. What is the connection?

Many triggers can cause toothache, such as cracked teeth, cavities or decayed wisdom teeth. If the teeth are not treated, then a person may experience a migraine.

Migraines are throbbing headaches that usually affect only one side of the head. They may also include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.

Many experts agree that the main cause of both toothache and migraine comes from the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is a cranial nerve that basically controls all movements and sensations in the face, including the upper and lower lips, gums, teeth, etc. It is believed that the pain associated with the teeth irritates this sensory nerve, thereby triggering a migraine.

Tooth-to-head directional pain

It is common for a person to assume they are experiencing tension or migraine headaches when in fact they are experiencing directional pain due to a dental problem. Referred pain is defined as a sensation of soreness in an area of ​​the body that is different from the actual area causing the discomfort. The trigeminal nerve has many connections between facial structures and the brain, which explains why you may think you have a headache, but it could be due to tooth decay or gum disease.

Bruxism (teeth grinding)

One prominent example of referred pain in the head is bruxism, better known as teeth grinding. This often happens at night without the person even being aware of it. The headache that occurs with bruxism feels like a dull ache and may involve the head or occur in the eye area.

Other symptoms that indicate bruxism are: pain in the teeth and jaw, clicking in the jaw joint, tension in the jaw muscles, and trouble opening and closing the mouth wide enough.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Cavernous sinuses are large empty spaces located under the brain near each eye socket. A large blood vessel passes through the cavernous sinuses, draining blood from the brain.

Infection in the teeth, face, or skull can spread to the cavernous sinuses and cause a blood clot. The body forms this clot to prevent the infection from spreading further. A blood clot can damage delicate tissues such as brain and eye cells, as well as the nerves that connect them.

Sometimes clots form without an infection nearby. They usually present with sudden and severe headaches, especially around the eyes, double vision, high fever, nausea, etc.

Sinus infections

Sinus infections can lead to tooth pain, especially in the upper teeth below the maxillary sinus (which is behind the cheekbones).

In addition to toothache, another common symptom of a sinus infection is a headache that gets worse when you lean forward. Other signs and symptoms of a sinus infection include:

– Temperature;
– Fatigue;
– Nasal congestion and discharge of yellow or green mucus in the throat (post-nasal syndrome).

Temporomandibular joint disease

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a problem that can cause toothache. The jaw joint can not only cause a throbbing toothache, but it can also cause headaches that start in the ear area and spread down to the jaw and neck. Even ordinary movements, such as chewing or opening and closing your mouth, can cause severe headaches.

Trigeminal neuralgia

This is a pain disorder caused by pressure or injury to the trigeminal nerve, resulting in sudden and severe pain. Many people feel it mostly on one side of the face along the upper or lower jaw, often mistaken for a tooth abscess.

How to treat a headache in the presence of dental diseases?

Here are some ways you can help manage your dental headaches at home before you see your dentist:

– Take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or diclofenac sodium.
– Drink plenty of water and rest
– Apply some oil of clove to the aching tooth to relieve headache;
– Try gargling with warm salt water to relieve inflammation and toothache.

When to see a dentist?

If you have a toothache or headache, call your doctor right away. It can sometimes be difficult to figure out what is causing the pain, but it is important to diagnose the true cause. If you’ve been to the dentist and are still experiencing headaches, find out if the headache is related to dental disease, jaw joint disease, gum disease, or sinusitis.

Yandex Zen: Can a toothache cause a headache? Everything you need to know

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Tooth abscess – causes, methods of treatment in the clinic and at home – ROOTT

The gums are reddened, swollen, sore – these are classic signs of a tooth abscess, an inflammatory process in which pus is formed. Accumulating in the cavity, as in a bag, pus causes swelling of the gums. In the people it is called flux.

Purulent inflammation can lead to serious consequences, so it is impossible to self-medicate if the gums are swollen. In dentistry, the cause of the abscess will be determined and specific treatment will be carried out.

Purulent tooth abscess – causes

When immunity is weakened, as a result of trauma or infectious diseases of the teeth, pathogens penetrate into the tissues surrounding the tooth (periodontium). In response to this, the body produces special cells, neutrophils. They neutralize pathogens, but die themselves. Pus is the remnants of dead cells, destroyed proteins of bacteria and neutrophils.

In dentistry, there are 3 types of abscess, depending on the cause:

• Periapical
  A purulent sac is formed at the top of the root.

• Periodontal
  An abscess occupies a space between the gum and the root.

• Desnevoy
  Localized in soft tissues, does not affect the root.

The type of abscess depends on how the pathogens have entered the tissues.

Caries leading to periodontitis

Advanced caries destroys the hard tissues of the tooth and penetrates into the pulp – the neurovascular bundle. Most often, pulpitis is accompanied by severe pain, but in some cases, the pain is not very pronounced, paroxysmal. If pulpitis is not treated in time, the tissues around the root become inflamed, periodontitis develops. Active formation of pus begins. Soon the pouch sticks out under the mucous membrane of the gums. In some cases, the root abscess breaks and a fistula forms in the gum, through which the pus comes out. Due to the fact that the pressure on the tissues is reduced, the patient experiences a feeling of relief. However, the formation of a fistula does not mean recovery. The inflammatory process continues and will eventually lead to tooth loss.

Incorrect treatment

Periodontitis can result from the negligence of a doctor. If the canals of the tooth are not completely sealed, then bacteria begin to multiply in the resulting voids, provoking an inflammatory process.

An abscess after tooth extraction occurs in 2 cases:

• The surgeon did not calculate the forces and caused injury during the extraction, damaging the bone tissue.
• The patient did not follow the recommendations of the dentist, which led to the penetration of pathogens into the wound.

Periodontitis

When the periodontium (tissues and ligaments that hold the tooth in the socket) becomes inflamed, the dentogingival attachment weakens, the gum ceases to fit snugly against the tooth, and tartar accumulates in the gap (periodontal pocket). It is a landing site for bacteria that multiply rapidly, causing the body’s immune response, which means the formation of pus. A swelling is formed in the projection of the pocket. It can be an abscess of the front tooth or side. Where the pocket is deeper, the likelihood of suppuration is higher.

Pericoronitis

Teething, especially third molars (wisdom teeth), can become painful. If the incorrect location or thick mucosa does not allow the “eight” to cut through completely, a hood of mucous forms on the tooth. There are leftover food. As they decompose, they provide nutrients for bacteria, which in turn cause inflammation. It can spread to the gum, forming a wisdom tooth abscess.

Trauma

It happens that when brushing your teeth, while eating or with poor-quality prosthetics, the gum is injured. The integrity of the mucous membrane is broken. Pathogens that are always present in the oral cavity penetrate inside. As a result of their active reproduction, accumulation of pus begins, a gingival abscess develops.

Symptoms

It all starts with slight pain when biting. Then there is swelling on the gum. The pain syndrome is growing. The general condition worsens. The temperature rises, Pain gives to the ear and head. Lymph nodes increase in size, an abscess develops independently of the upper tooth, or the lower one. A putrid odor comes from the mouth. When the abscess breaks through, a fistula is formed. It exudes pus. When the acute process subsides, the fistula closes, but only until a new aggravation.

Treatment

Diagnostic measures help determine the cause and plan treatment.

For diagnostic use:

• Patient interview
• Visual inspection
• Radiography

An x-ray will help identify the causative tooth and show what is causing the suppuration: root inflammation, periodontal pocket or trauma.

At this stage, the decision is made whether to extract or save the tooth.

If it is decided to save the tooth, then the algorithm of therapeutic measures for periodontitis is as follows:

1. All tissues affected by caries are removed.
2. The tooth is depulped, the canals are left open.
3. If the canals have already been treated, then the old fillings are removed, the canals are cleaned, but not sealed. This facilitates the outflow of pus. If there is a crown on the tooth, they immediately proceed to the next stage.
4. The gum is opened. Insert drainage. After a while it is removed. This step is not always carried out.
5. Medical paste is inserted into the canals of the tooth. The cavity is closed with a temporary filling. After 4-8 weeks, a follow-up examination is carried out. If there is no recurrence, the canals are sealed with gutta-percha, a permanent filling is placed on the tooth.

If therapeutic methods do not help, or a fixed prosthesis is on the tooth, then a surgical method is used. The top of the root is amputated, eliminating the cause of inflammation. At the same time, a tooth cyst, abscess or granuloma is removed.

The treatment regimen for periodontitis is somewhat different. The main method of removing pus is open curettage or flap surgery. The periodontist exfoliates the gum flap, opens access to the root and cleans it from hard plaque and decomposition products. The wound is disinfected, sutures or a periodontal bandage are applied. After a week, the stitches are removed.

Gingivectomy is performed in mild cases. An incision is made on the gum through which the pus is removed.

For pericoronitis, the hood is excised, allowing the tooth to erupt. It also ensures free outflow of pus. The wound is treated with an antiseptic solution, a bandage is applied.

In case of injury, the irritant is removed. If the gum injures the prosthesis, it is changed. A foreign object (a fish bone, for example) is removed. Provide an outflow of exudate.

Regardless of the cause of the abscess, antimicrobial therapy is mandatory. For better healing, dentists recommend salt baths for several days.

Common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as paracetamol can help relieve pain. After opening the abscess, relief quickly comes and painkillers are required only in the first day or two.

Home remedies

Folk healers advise rinsing the mouth with saline, soda solutions, infusions of sage, calendula, chamomile. It is recommended to use propolis in the form of alcohol lotions.

These remedies may temporarily relieve pain, but they do not eliminate the cause of the inflammation. Therefore, relief is temporary, inflammation increases and can result in serious complications. And alcohol infusions also lead to a chemical burn of the mucous membrane.

A tooth abscess cannot be cured without the intervention of a dentist. Only an integrated approach to treatment can stop the inflammatory process.

Why an abscess is dangerous

If the symptoms of inflammation are not very pronounced, most people postpone a visit to the dentist. This leads to complications, develops:

• Chronic tooth abscess
  The disease acquires a cyclic character: pus-fistula-outflow of pus-closure of the fistula. Then a cold, exacerbation of common diseases or another reason provokes a new cycle. Each time, the risk that pus will penetrate deep into the tissues or be carried by the bloodstream throughout the body increases.

• Phlegmon
  This is already a diffuse purulent process that captures large areas. There is a strong intoxication of the body, the general condition worsens. Phlegmon is dangerous for its main complication – blood poisoning.

• Sepsis
  As a result of the fact that the infection spreads throughout the body, sepsis affects all organs, leading to their failure. Causes fever, drop in blood pressure. Treatment of sepsis is difficult, the prognosis is not always favorable.

Prevention

The easiest and most effective way to prevent is daily oral hygiene. With its help, most of the plaque is removed, which means that the risk of developing caries and its complications is significantly reduced.