Gum abscesses and gum boils: symptoms, causes, treatment

Written by:

Dr Mark Hughes

Published: 21/02/2017
| Updated: 06/09/2021

Edited by: Emily Lawrenson & Bronwen Griffiths

Abscesses in the mouth are relatively common and can occur for various reasons. They can be unpleasant and cause the sufferer a significant amount of pain. Dr Mark Hughes, an expert dentist and founder of the Harley Street Dental Studio, explains more about gum abscesses, gum boils, and how they can be treated.

Abscesses can affect different areas of the mouth, including the teeth, the gum tissue, and the soft tissues surrounding the crown of a tooth. Widely, abscesses in the mouth are known as dental abscesses, but certain types affect the gums (periodontal abscess) or the gum tissue (gingival abscess). In some cases, abscesses can cause a parulis, more commonly known as a gum boil. Gum boils and gum abscesses are not gum disease, however, gum abscesses can indicate the development of periodontitis.

Gum boils: what are they?

Gum boils are very common. A gum boil, or parulis, is a localised concentration of pus which occurs in the soft tissue of the gum.  Gum boils usually look like a small pimple in the mouth, and are drainage points for abscesses which occur in the roots of the teeth.

What causes gum boils?

When the nerve of a tooth dies (necrosis), the body sends a multitude of white blood cells to the point where the nerve exits in an attempt to destroy the infection. This then forms an abscess as the cells die, and in some cases, the abscess can break through the gum tissue and form a gum boil, as a drainage point for the abscess.

Gum abscesses: what are they?

Aside from tooth abscesses, there are gum abscesses, which can affect the soft tissue, or the area at which the gum connects with the tooth, or periodontal pockets. Abscesses, in general, can be described as a localised collection of pus within the mouth’s tissue, but gum abscesses are different from tooth abscesses in that they do not occur as a result of infection from a dead tooth, rather as bacterial infections associated with living teeth.

Gum abscess symptoms

One of the most significant symptoms of a gum abscess is pain, which often appears suddenly, and is characterised by being a deep, throbbing pain. Other symptoms include:

• the surface of the gums being shiny due to the mucosa stretching over the abscess
• redness
• swelling
• increasing pressure in the affected area, as pus forms
• a bad taste in the mouth and a bad smell may be perceived as pus drains

Gum boil symptoms

Gum boils vary in size but can usually be seen clearly on the gum. The size is dependent on how much is produced deep in the tooth and how the patient’s immune system responds. Many gum boils are painless in nature, but some can cause moderate pain, and they can come and go.

How to treat a gum boil and gum abscess

Gum abscess treatment and gum boil treatment focus on treating the underlying issue – in the case of gum boils, the dead or decaying tooth must be addressed. If the tooth is non-vital, it may be extracted. Once the underlying cause is treated, the gum boil will not re-occur.

Most gum abscesses heal successfully and quickly after the area is thoroughly cleaned, and the pus in the abscess is able to escape or allowed to escape. The underlying infection will also be treated, for example with the use of antibiotics.

In the case of large gum abscesses, they must be drained, but if the gum boils occur as a result of periodontal disease, the disease itself must be treated to prevent repeated infection. If the abscess started because of an infection inside the tooth, the abscess will need to be drained, followed usually by root canal treatment.

How to prevent gum abscesses and gum boils

As with most oral conditions, maintaining proper oral hygiene will help to prevent infections and the development of boils and abscesses. Annual or more frequent check-ups at the dentist are recommended to avoid conditions that can lead to abscesses and gum boils.

If you are concerned about recurring gum abscesses and/or gum boils and would like to consult an expert dentist, you can do just that by booking an appointment with Dr Hughes via his Top Doctor’s profile. 

Dentistry
in London

Mouth Ulcers

Is this your child’s symptom?

• Painful, shallow ulcers (sores) on the lining of the mouth
• Found on the gums, inner lips, inner cheeks, or tongue
• Sores only on the outer lips (such as cold sores) are not covered

Causes of Mouth Ulcers or Sores

• Canker Sores. The main cause of 1 or 2 mouth ulcers after age 5.
• Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease. The most common cause of multiple ulcers in the mouth. These ulcers are mainly on the tongue and sides of the mouth. Most children also have small deep blisters on the palms and soles. Due to the Coxsackie virus. It is common between ages 1 to 5 years.
• Herpes Simplex Virus (Cold sore virus). The first infection can be severe. It can cause 10 or more ulcers on the gums, tongue and lips. Key findings are additional ulcers on the outer lips or skin around the mouth. Also, fever and difficulty swallowing. Usually occurs age 1 to 3. It usually follows contact with an adult who has active cold sores (fever blisters). Often they have kissed the child.
• Cold Sores (Fever Blisters). Sores are only found outside the mouth on the outer lip. They recur 2 or 3 times a year in the same place. There are no ulcers inside the mouth. Adult cold sores are the cause of Herpes Simplex infections in young children. Occurs in 20% of teens and adults.
• Mouth Injury. Common mouth injuries are biting the tongue or inside of the cheek. Others can be caused by a toothbrush. The lining of the mouth always looks white when it heals. So forgotten injuries can look like a canker sore.
• Mouth Burns. Hot foods (such as pizza) can cause mouth sores. They also turn white as they heal.

Causes of Canker Sores

• Canker sores have many causes.
• Minor injuries to the mouth can trigger a canker sore. Examples are from a rough food or a hard toothbrush. Biting oneself while chewing can start one.
• Food allergies or irritants may also be a trigger.
• Vitamin deficiencies can also be a cause. A vitamin deficiency can occur if your child is a picky eater.
• Canker sores can run in families (genetic).
• Often, the cause is unknown.

Symptoms of Canker Sores

• Small ulcers have a white center with a red border around them
• Size is usually less than ¼ inch (6 mm)
• Found on the inner lips and inner cheeks
• The sores are very painful, even when not eating
• Usually get 1 canker sore at a time. Sometimes get 2 or 3.
• No fever or other symptoms

When to Call for Mouth Ulcers

Call 911 Now

• Not moving or too weak to stand
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Chemical in the mouth could have caused ulcers
• Dehydration suspected. No urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• 4 or more ulcers
• Bloody crusts on the lips
• Red, swollen and tender gums
• Ulcers and sores also on the outer lip
• One ulcer on the gum near a tooth with a toothache
• Fever or swollen face
• Large lymph node under the jaw
• Began after starting a medicine
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Cold sores suspected
• Mouth ulcers last more than 2 weeks
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Care Advice for Mouth Ulcers

1. What You Should Know About Mouth Ulcers:
   • Canker sores are the most common cause of mouth ulcers.
   • They are 1 – 3 painful, white ulcers of inner cheeks, inner lip or gums (no fever).
   • Causes include injuries from rough food, tooth brushes, biting, or food irritants.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Liquid Antacid for Mouth Pain (Age 1 Year and Older):
   • For mouth pain, use a liquid antacid (such as Mylanta or the store brand). Give 4 times per day as needed. After meals often is a good time.
   • Age 1 to 6 years. Put a few drops in the mouth. Can also put it on with a cotton swab.
   • Age over 6 years. Use 1 teaspoon (5 mL) as a mouth wash. Keep it on the ulcers as long as possible. Then can spit it out or swallow it.
   • Caution: Do not use regular mouth washes, because they sting.
3. Pain Medicine:
   • To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
   • Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
   • Use as needed.
4. Fluids and Soft Diet :
   • Try to get your child to drink adequate fluids.
   • Goal: keep your child well hydrated.
   • Cold drinks, milk shakes, popsicles, slushes, and sherbet are good choices.
   • Solid Foods. Offer soft, bland foods like macaroni and cheese. Other good ones are mashed potatoes, cereals with milk and ice cream.
   • Avoid foods that need much chewing. Avoid citrus, salty, or spicy foods.
   • Note: Fluid intake is more important than eating any solids.
   • For infants, you may need to stop the bottle. Give fluids by cup, spoon or syringe instead. Reason: The nipple can increase the pain.
5. Return to School:
   • Canker sores cannot be spread to others. Children with canker sores do not need to miss any school.
   • Children with fever need to be checked before going back to school.
   • Also, children with many mouth ulcers should be checked before going back.
6. What to Expect:
   • They heal up in 1 to 2 weeks on their own.
   • Once they occur, no treatment can shorten the illness.
   • Treatment can help with the pain.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Mouth ulcers last more than 2 weeks
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Last Reviewed: 10/18/2021

Last Revised: 09/30/2021

Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Should You Worry About Gum Boils or Gum Abscesses?

Gum boils or gum abscesses are major signs that your teeth are suffering from a deep infection. These unsightly boils are filled with pus and painful once touched or bumped. If you have gum abscesses, you will have a difficult time eating your favourite foods.

But don’t worry – gum abscesses are manageable. You just need to know their real nature and how to manage them effectively. It’s also important to listen to your dentist’s advice.

The Types of Gum Boils

Gum boils are divided into two main types – periodontal abscess and periapical abscess. Your dentist can easily figure out what type of gum boil you have. Basically, periodontal abscess forms in the gum tissue, while periapical abscess forms within the tooth itself. A periapical abscess is usually more serious and can be resolved by root canal treatments and other advanced dental procedures.

Here are some of the common symptoms of gum boils:

• gum pain and gum tenderness
• reddening and swelling gums
• abscess bleeding
• bad breath
• earache, nausea, and fever

Your dentist’s goal is to prevent the spread of the infection caused by abscesses. A root canal treatment is advisable if the gum infection has already affected multiple teeth. The procedure is also useful if there’s deeper tooth damage in your upper or lower jaw.

How to Deal With Gum Boils Properly

There are diverse ways to deal with gum infection and to prevent the appearance of other abscesses. Practically, dentists will advise the use of antibiotics to control bacterial growth and stop the infection. Topical treatments are only used to alleviate the pain and sensitivity caused by the abscesses.

A deep cleaning procedure is another direct solution that deals with plaque removal. This procedure can also promote continuous gum healing and can be boosted by effective oral care. Dental draining is a follow-up procedure meant to drain the pus from the abscesses in your gums.

How to Manage Gum Abscesses At Home

Home care plays a vital factor in terms of pain management. The first thing that you have to improve your brushing and flossing habits. You need to brush and floss at least twice a day to prevent the formation of gum abscesses and reduce plaque buildup. However, if you already have gum abscesses, you need to be extra careful. Be gentle, and avoid bumping the abscesses so they won’t bleed.

Nutrition is crucial to gum boil management. You must avoid sugary drinks (like sodas and fruit juices) and processed foods as much as possible. This is not easy, especially if you’re used to consuming large amounts of sugar. Let go of sodas – they can only make your gum infection worse. Smoking is also a big risk factor. Keep in mind that a stick of cigarette can affect your immune system and decrease the potency of gum treatment medicines.

Mouthwash can help in bacterial control though you shouldn’t rely on it all the time. If you constantly use mouthwash, your gums will be exposed to dryness, inflammation, and irritation. This defeats the purpose of the mouthwash. A safer alternative is a dental saltwater rinse. Just mix a teaspoon of salt and a cup of warm water. Then you can swish it all over your mouth for at least 40 seconds. Repeat the procedure for up to 3 times per day to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Hydrogen peroxide is a popular choice among dentists, but you need to be careful in mixing it. If you do the mixture correctly, hydrogen peroxide can control bacterial growth and reduce most instances of pain and gum tenderness. You should also check out natural dental rinses featured online. Remember, these dental rinses are better than commercial mouthwash and they won’t cause mouth dryness or gum irritation.

Conclusion

Gum boils require immediate attention. Don’t wait for too long because gum boils can lead to long-term teeth damage and other health complications.

Here at KW Dental Emergency – Fairway Dental Urgent Care Clinic, we will help you deal with gum abscesses and other dental problems.

Contact us today if you need a gum abscess consultation or treatment!

Peritonsillar Abscess (for Teens) – Nemours Kidshealth

What’s a Peritonsillar Abscess?

A peritonsillar abscess is an area of pus-filled tissue at the back of the mouth, next to one of the tonsils. The abscess can be very painful and can make it difficult to open the mouth.

It can also cause swelling that can push the tonsil toward the uvula (the dangling fleshy object at the back of the mouth). This can block the throat, making it hard to swallow, speak, and sometimes even breathe.

If you think you have an abscess in the back of your throat, you need to see a doctor. A peritonsillar abscess that isn’t treated can lead to more serious health problems.

What Causes Peritonsillar Abscesses?

Most peritonsillar abscesses are caused by the same bacteria that cause strep throat. Sometimes, other types of bacteria are involved.

Peritonsillar abscesses usually happen as a complication of tonsillitis. If the infection breaks out of a tonsil and gets into the space around it, an abscess can form. Luckily, peritonsillar abscesses aren’t that common these days because doctors use antibiotics to treat tonsillitis.

Tooth and gum disease can increase the chances of a peritonsillar abscess, as can smoking — more good reasons to brush your teeth and not smoke.

What Are the Signs of a Peritonsillar Abscess?

Often, the first sign of a peritonsillar abscess is a sore throat. As the abscess develops, other symptoms start, such as:

• red, swollen tonsils
• a tonsil that’s pushing against the uvula
• tender, swollen glands (lymph nodes) on one side of the neck
• severe pain on one side of the throat
• difficulty and pain when swallowing or opening the mouth
• fever and chills
• headache
• earache
• drooling
• a muffled or hoarse voice

An abscess that’s not treated quickly can lead to serious problems — for example, the infection may go into the jaw and neck. If the abscess pops, the infection may spread to the chest and lead to pneumonia.

How Is a Peritonsillar Abscess Diagnosed?

Call your doctor if you have a sore throat with a fever or any of the other problems that can be caused by a peritonsillar abscess. It’s rare that an abscess will get in the way of your breathing, but if it does, you may need to go to the emergency room right away.

The doctor will examine your mouth, throat, and neck. He or she also may take a throat culture and a blood test. On rare occasions, a doctor may order a CT scan or ultrasound.

How Is a Peritonsillar Abscess Treated?

The usual treatment for a peritonsillar abscess involves having a doctor drain the abscess. The doctor does this either by withdrawing the pus with a needle (called aspiration) or making a small cut in the abscess with a scalpel so the pus can drain out.

If this doesn’t work, a patient’s tonsils might have to be removed in a procedure called a tonsillectomy. This is especially true for people who have had tonsillitis a lot or who have had a peritonsillar abscess in the past.

If it’s hard to eat or drink, patients may need IV (intravenous, given into a vein) fluids for hydration. A doctor also will prescribe painkillers and antibiotics. Whenever you take antibiotics, always finish the full course of the medicine as prescribed, even if you feel better after a few days. Otherwise, the infection could come back.

People who have a tonsillectomy may need a brief stay in the hospital. That way, doctors can keep an eye on them to make sure everything went as planned.

Can Peritonsillar Abscesses Be Prevented?

You can take a few precautions to lower your risk of getting an abscess in your tonsils — like not smoking and making sure you keep your teeth and mouth clean.

But sometimes a peritonsillar abscess is beyond your control. If you think you have an abscess, call your doctor right away. The earlier a doctor diagnoses it, the easier treatment is likely to be.

Pemphigus vulgaris – NHS

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare and serious (potentially life-threatening) condition that causes painful blisters to develop on the skin and lining of the mouth, nose, throat and genitals.

The blisters are fragile and can easily burst open, leaving areas of raw unhealed skin that are very painful and can put you at risk of infections.

There’s currently no cure for pemphigus vulgaris, but treatment can help keep the symptoms under control.

The condition can affect people of all ages, including children, but most cases develop in older adults between the ages of 50 and 60. It isn’t contagious and can’t be passed from one person to another.

Symptoms of pemphigus vulgaris

The blisters usually develop in the mouth first, before affecting the skin a few weeks or months later.

Credit:

There may be times when the blisters are severe (flare-ups), followed by periods when they heal and fade (remission). It’s impossible to predict when this might happen and how severe the flare-ups will be.

Blisters in the mouth often turn into painful sores, which can make eating, drinking and brushing teeth very difficult.  The voice can become hoarse if the blisters spread to the voice box (larynx).

Sores on the skin can join together to form large areas of painful, raw-looking skin, before crusting over and forming scabs. They don’t usually leave any scars, although affected skin can occasionally become permanently discoloured.

As well as getting blisters in the mouth, they can also develop in other areas of the digestive system’s soft tissue lining, including the nose, throat, anus, genitals and vagina. The thin membrane that covers the front of the eye and inside of the eyelids (conjunctiva) can also be affected.

When to get medical advice

See your GP if you have severe or persistent blisters or sores in your mouth or on your skin.

It’s unlikely you’ll have pemphigus vulgaris, but it’s a good idea to get your symptoms checked out.

If your GP thinks your symptoms could be caused by a serious condition such as pemphigus vulgaris, they may refer you to a dermatologist (skin specialist) for some tests.

The dermatologist will examine your skin and mouth, and may remove a small sample (biopsy) from the affected area so it can be analysed in a laboratory. This can confirm whether you have pemphigus vulgaris.

A blood test can also be used to check for antibodies (infection-fighting proteins) in your bloodstream, to help confirm the diagnosis.

What causes pemphigus vulgaris?

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune condition. This means that something goes wrong with the immune system (the body’s defence against infection) and it starts attacking healthy tissue.

In pemphigus vulgaris, the immune system attacks cells found in a deep layer of skin, as well as cells found in the mucous membrane (the protective lining of the mouth, nostrils, throat, genitals and anus). This causes blisters to form in the affected tissue.

It’s unclear what causes the immune system to go wrong in this way. Certain genes have been linked to an increased risk of pemphigus vulgaris, but it doesn’t tend to run in families.

Treatments for pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is a long-term (chronic) condition that can’t be cured.

However, the symptoms can often be controlled using a combination of medicines that help stop the immune system attacking the body.

Most people start by taking high doses of steroid medication (corticosteroids) for a few weeks or months. This helps stop new blisters forming and allows existing ones to heal.

To reduce the risk of side effects of steroids, the dose is gradually reduced and another medication that reduces the activity of the immune system is taken as well as the steroid.

It may eventually be possible to stop taking medications for pemphigus vulgaris if the symptoms don’t come back, although many people need ongoing treatment to prevent flare-ups.

Read more about treating pemphigus vulgaris.

Risk of infected blisters

There’s a high risk of blisters caused by pemphigus vulgaris becoming infected, so it’s important to look out for signs of infection.

Signs of an infected blister can include:

• the skin becoming painful and hot
• yellow or green pus in the blisters
• red streaks leading away from the blisters

Don’t ignore these signs – an infected blister could potentially lead to a very serious infection if left untreated. Contact your GP or dermatologist for advice straight away.

Help and support

Being told you have a rare, serious condition can be a confusing, frightening and sometimes lonely experience.

It can help to find out as much as you can about the condition and how best to cope with it.

A good place to start is the Pemphigus Vulgaris Network, a UK support group for people with pemphigus vulgaris.

NHS support is also available to help you deal with the physical and emotional effects of living with long-term pain.

Read more about living with pain.

Page last reviewed: 02 October 2018
Next review due: 02 October 2021

Can I Pop a Canker Sore?

Canker Sores: Causes, Symptoms & Where They Develop

Canker sores are otherwise known as aphthous ulcers. A canker sore is a painful and exposed open wound in the mouth.

Although canker sores are uncomfortable, they are often harmless and clear up by themselves. Canker sores are common and can usually be treated at home without visiting your dentist or doctor. 

While anyone can develop a canker sore, women are more susceptible than men. Aphthous ulcers may also run in families.

It’s possible to have more than one canker sore at a time. They may grow larger or spread in the mouth. Canker sores usually develop on the inside of the cheeks and the lips and tongue.

Canker sores are not cancerous and aren’t the same as cold sores or fever blisters.

Mouth sores develop for various reasons. These include:

• Genetics
• Damage to the lining inside the mouth, such as accidentally biting your cheek or tongue
• Stress and anxiety
• Hormonal changes
• Eating spicy foods
• Eating acidic foods and drinks, such as orange juice and citrus fruits
• Stopping smoking
• Having certain medical conditions, such as Behçet’s disease and viral infections
• Taking specific medications
• A weakened or overactive immune system

Symptoms of canker sores include:

• Painful sore or sores inside your mouth
• A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth
• Sores in the mouth that are circular, white, yellow, or gray, with a red border

Severe symptoms of canker sores may also include:

• Fever
• Sluggishness
• Swollen lymph nodes

Summary

Canker sores are open, painful sores in the mouth caused by various genetic factors. They appear as circular lesions and often cause a tingling or burning sensation in the mouth. If you have canker sores that make you feel sluggish, along with a fever and swollen lymph nodes, seek medical attention immediately.

What’s Inside a Canker Sore?

Sometimes canker sores are confused with boils. While the two can sometimes appear similar, they are different. Boils form from infections that develop in the oil glands or hair follicles on the skin. Often boils start as a sensitive area of the skin that eventually firms. A boil usually contains a pus-filled center that oozes. 

Call a healthcare professional or seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing the following from your canker sore:

• Increased pain 
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Increased redness
• Pus drainage
• Red streaks surrounding the area
• Crusting 

A fever is also a symptom of infection.

Can You Pop a Canker Sore?

Canker sores are shallow wounds. They are not blisters, boils, or pimples. Canker sores cannot pop as there is nothing to squeeze out.

An attempt at popping a canker sore is likely to be painful.

Do Canker Sores Burst?

Canker sores burst, but not in the same way a pimple may pop. 

When canker sores develop, your mouth may tingle before they appear. Shortly after, a small red bump forms. After a day or so, the bump bursts. A shallow white or yellow open wound is left with a red border.

Summary

Canker sores are unlike boils because boils are filled with pus while canker sores are not. Boils appear as bumps and canker sores look flat.

How Can I Get Rid of a Canker Sore Overnight?

There are several home remedies and over-the-counter treatments to speed up the healing process of mouth sores. However, it’s unlikely that any remedy or medication will cure a canker sore overnight.

Many home remedies to treat canker sores aren’t well-researched or studied, so approach with caution.  

Some popular home remedies involve the use of:

• Alum powder
• Warm water salt rinse
• Baking soda rinse
• Yogurt
• Honey
• Coconut oil
• Milk of magnesia
• Chamomile compress
• Echinacea
• Sage mouthwash
• DGL mouthwash
• Apple cider vinegar mouthwash
• Watermelon frost

Some over-the-counter sore treatments include:

• Mouthwash containing dexamethasone
• Topical pastes, creams, gels, or liquids
• Oral medications

If you have several mouth sores, your doctor may prescribe a mouthwash containing the steroid dexamethasone. This type of mouth rinse helps reduce the pain and inflammation of mouth sores.

When mouth ulcers are severe or do not respond to topical products, oral medications may be prescribed. Ibuprofen may reduce pain from canker sores.

Oral steroid medications are also an option. However, they’re often prescribed as a last resort due to the possibility of severe side effects.  

Most canker sores aren’t severe or a cause for concern. Mouth sores rarely prompt any side effects. However, some canker sores may require advice or attention from a doctor.

Speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:

• A sore bigger than usual
• Multiple mouth ulcers
• New sores developing before old ones heal
• Canker sores that don’t heal after two weeks
• Mouth ulcers that spread to the lips
• Significantly painful sores
• Difficulty eating or drinking
• Fever

Summary

There is no overnight cure for canker sores. However, there are home remedies and OTC treatments for them. Canker sores usually resolve after a few days with proper treatment. If you’re experiencing symptoms that are out of the ordinary, get in touch with your doctor.

Hand, foot & mouth disease – Illnesses & conditions

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common infection that causes mouth ulcers and spots on the hands and feet.

It’s most common in young children – particularly those under 10 – but can affect older children and adults as well.

Hand, foot and mouth disease can be unpleasant, but it will usually clear up by itself within 7 to 10 days. You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.

The infection is not related to foot and mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep and pigs.

This page covers:

Symptoms

What to do if you or your child has it

When to get medical advice

How it spreads

Prevention

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease

The symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease usually develop between three and five days after being exposed to the infection.

The first symptoms may include:

• a high temperature (fever), usually around 38-39C (100.4-102.2F)
• a general sense of feeling unwell
• loss of appetite
• coughing
• abdominal (tummy) pain
• a sore throat and mouth 

Mouth ulcers

After one or two days, red spots appear on the tongue and inside the mouth.

These quickly develop into larger yellow-grey mouth ulcers with red edges.

The ulcers can be painful and make eating, drinking and swallowing difficult. They should pass within a week.

Spotty rash and blisters

Soon after the mouth ulcers appear, you’ll probably notice a rash made up of small, raised red spots on the skin.

These typically develop on the fingers, the backs or palms of the hand, the soles of the feet, and occasionally on the buttocks and groin.

The spots may then turn into small blisters with a grey centre.

The spots and blisters can sometimes be itchy or uncomfortable and typically last up to 10 days.

What to do if you or your child has hand, foot and mouth disease

If you have hand, foot and mouth disease, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you’re feeling better. There’s no cure for it, so you have to let it run its course.

To help ease your or your child’s symptoms:

• drink plenty of fluidsto avoid dehydration – water or milk are ideal; it may help to give a baby smaller but more frequent bottle or breast milk feeds
• eat soft foods such as mashed potatoes, yoghurt and soups if eating and swallowing is uncomfortable – avoid hot, acidic or spicy foods and drinks
• take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to ease a sore throat and fever – aspirin shouldn’t be given to children under the age of 16; paracetamol is best if you’re pregnant
• try gargling with warm, salty water to relieve discomfort from mouth ulcers – it’s important not to swallow the mixture, so this isn’t recommended for young children
• alternatively, use mouth gels, rinses or sprays for mouth ulcers – these are available from pharmacies, but aren’t routinely recommended, and some aren’t suitable for young children; ask your pharmacist for advice and make sure you read the instructions first

You should keep your child away from nursery or school until they’re feeling better.  Adults with the condition should stay away from work until they’re feeling better.

See preventing hand, foot and mouth disease below for more information about stopping the infection spreading.

When to get medical advice

You don’t usually need medical attention if you think you or your child has hand, foot and mouth disease. The infection will usually pass in 7 to 10 days, and there isn’t much your doctor can do.

Antibiotics won’t help as hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus.

If you’re unsure whether you or your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, you can call the NHS 24 111 service or your GP for advice.

You should also get medical advice if:

• your child is unable or unwilling to drink any fluids
• your child has signs of dehydration, such as unresponsiveness, passing small amounts of urine or no urine at all, or cold hands and feet
• your child develops fits (seizures), confusion, weakness or a loss of consciousness
• your child is under three months old and has a temperature of 38C (101F) or above, or is between three and six months old and has a temperature of 39C (102F) or above
• the skin becomes very painful, red, swollen and hot, or there’s a discharge of pus
• the symptoms are getting worse or haven’t improved after 7 to 10 days

Get advice from your GP if you’re pregnant and you become infected within a few weeks of your due date. Infection in pregnancy is usually nothing to worry about, but there’s a small chance it could make your baby ill if you’re infected shortly before you give birth.

Read more about the risks of hand, foot and mouth disease in pregnancy

How hand, foot and mouth disease spreads

Someone with hand, foot and mouth disease is most infectious from just before their symptoms start until they’re feeling better.

The infection can be spread by close person to person contact and contact with contaminated surfaces. The virus is found in:

• the droplets in the coughs and sneezes of an infected person – you can become infected if you get these on your hands and then touch your mouth, or if you breathe in the droplets
• an infected person’s poo – if an infected person doesn’t wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, they can contaminate food or surfaces
• an infected person’s saliva or fluid from their blisters – you can become infected if this gets in your mouth

The infection is caused by a number of different viruses, so it’s possible to get it more than once. Most people develop immunity to these viruses as they get older.

Preventing hand, foot and mouth disease

It’s not always possible to avoid getting hand, foot and mouth disease, but following the advice below can help stop the infection spreading.

• Stay off work, school or nursery until you or your child are feeling better – there’s usually no need to wait until the last blister has healed, provided you’re otherwise well.
• Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often – particularly after going to the toilet, coughing, sneezing or handling nappies, and before preparing food.
• Avoid sharing cups, utensils, towels and clothes with people who are infected.
• Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated – it’s best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.
• Wash any bedding or clothing that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash.

90,000 Fistulas or lump on the gums

We already talked about bleeding gums earlier, and now we want to talk about what to do if you have a fistula or, more simply, a lump on the gum.

Causes of fistula

Only a specialist can determine the exact cause of the fistula. Insufficient oral hygiene and concomitant diseases (for example, tooth decay or pulpitis) usually lead to inflammation, which causes bacteria to multiply in the oral cavity.As a result, purulent fluid accumulates in the soft tissues of the gums, and then an opening is formed for its exit (perforating canal). Outwardly, the fistula looks like a red lump with a white dot in the center or side, and its size depends on the amount of pus and the scale of the inflammation.

Another possible reason for the appearance of a fistula can be mechanical damage to the gums – for example, during trauma or surgical procedures. Fistulas can occur if the crown is not completely seated and bacteria accumulate underneath. Also, bumps often appear when the wisdom teeth cannot erupt.

Possible complications if the fistula is not treated

Usually, the appearance of a fistula bothers the patient when the gums begin to hurt and swell, food intake and daily oral hygiene becomes difficult. In a neglected state, a strong bad breath appears, the lymph nodes may become inflamed and the temperature may rise. If, in this case, treatment is not started, then among the probable complications are loosening and loss of teeth, sinusitis, the appearance of cysts and even destruction of the jaw.

Of course, it is better not to bring it to such a state, otherwise the treatment will drag on for a long time and will cost a significant amount. If you notice a swelling or a lump on your gums – do not hesitate with an examination!

Treatment of fistula or lump on the gum

Depending on the stage of the disease, the treatment that the dentist prescribes can be conservative or surgical.

If complications are not yet observed and the tooth can be saved, then the abscess is cleared, the doctor relieves inflammation with antibiotics and external treatment of the gum tissue, and then repairs the damage.As a further treatment, rinses and physiotherapy procedures are prescribed.

With a severe form of the disease, only surgery will help. The doctor may suggest:

• Open the abscess and clean it to prevent the spread of infection;
• Carry out tooth root resection;
• Remove a tooth above the fistula (as a last resort, if it can no longer be saved)

Prevention of fistula

In order to prevent the appearance of bumps and abscesses, you need to follow a few simple rules: thoroughly brush your teeth 2 times a day, do not neglect professional hygiene, treat caries on time, monitor your diet and avoid bad habits (for example, smoking and excessive consumption of coffee and alcoholic beverages ).It is also important to prevent the occurrence of injuries in the oral cavity.

Remember that any pain relievers, and even more so traditional methods, at best, will only relieve the symptoms, but will not solve the problem – the doctor must find the reason in order to find the optimal treatment, to prevent complications and relapse of the disease in the future.

Still have questions? Ask them to us!

Remember that it is not enough to keep an eye on the health of your teeth – gum health is also the most important indicator of the health of your entire oral cavity.At the first signs of gum problems, contact the periodontists of the MediLine clinic – we will definitely help you!

Gorshenina Irina Sergeevna

dentist-periodontist
Work experience: 9 years

Do you have questions or want to know what to do in your situation?
Call us and we will definitely find a solution.

90,000 Lump on the gum – what to do?

• Time to read article: 1 minute

When it comes to dental disease , many people think of caries. In fact, dental diseases are varied, and one of them may be a fistula on the gum. These bumps are a symptom of a serious complication that occurs for many reasons. Moreover, its presence is a signal that the disease has taken a progressive stage.The main reason for the development of purulent or hard bumps on the gums is improper oral hygiene. But it can appear for other reasons as well.

When detecting seals, swelling, swelling in the mouth, you should contact your dentist. The specialist will make the correct diagnosis by prescribing qualified treatment.

The main reasons, proper treatment of bumps on the gums

Gingival fistula

In appearance and structure, it is similar to channels for the removal of purulent contents.It has a diameter of 3-6 mm with a white tip on the surface. An inflammatory focus occurs in the middle of the gum, and compaction indicates that the fistula is growing. People call this problem “a white bump on the gum.” If the disease is not treated in time, it becomes chronic.

Treatment principle

• To get rid of purulent congestion and pain, rinse the mouth with an aqueous solution of soda (for 200 ml of warm water – ½ teaspoon of soda).
• Rinse – until the lump with pus is completely absorbed, every 1.5-2 hours.

Periodontitis

Mostly it looks like a seal, so when describing the problem, patients say “a hard lump on the gum.” There is no pain, the diameter of the seal is not more than 1 cm. The cause of the occurrence is pulpitis or unsealed teeth in time. A purulent focus not cured in time leads to granulomas and cysts.

Treatment principle

• In case of minor inflammation, the fillings are removed, cleaning is carried out, and the canals are expanded.Then the wound is treated, a temporary filling is placed, and antibiotics are prescribed. After the treatment, a permanent filling is placed.
• In case of complications of periodontitis, pus can break into the bone. This complication is called periostitis or flux. In addition to the appearance of a fistula, soft tissues on the gums, lips, cheeks swell, the temperature rises, the lymph nodes are inflamed, the pain is unbearable. The method of treatment is similar to the previous one, but a drug is placed under the filling. Repeated washing is carried out with antiseptics after 60-90 days, the medicine is again laid for the same period of time.The procedure is repeated three times, after which a permanent filling can be placed.
• When cysts grow near the roots, the teeth are removed.

Gingivitis

It occurs due to improper oral care. Symptoms: slight swelling, redness of the gums with bleeding. The people call the disease “a red bump on the gum.”

Treatment Principles

• Solutions, decoctions for rinsing, medicinal ointments, gels are prescribed.

Periodontitis

The gums become inflamed due to loosening of the teeth and the formation of a gap, the so-called gingival pocket. Bacteria accumulate in such crevices, pus begins to accumulate, which is why bulging white bumps appear on the gums.

Treatment principle

• Initially, plaque is removed, then gingival pockets are washed with special preparations.
• For deep pockets, depulpation of the affected tooth is necessary.
• Antibiotics are prescribed, followed by curettage of the periodontal pocket.

Epulis

The reason for the development is mechanical trauma to the gums with high fillings, poorly installed prostheses, injury from the sharp edges of adjacent teeth. Such a fistula is called “supragingival”. The lump on the gum is cyanotic and reaches a considerable size – up to 2.5-3 cm.

Treatment principle

• To avoid recurrence, epulis capsules are scraped out.
• In case of advanced forms, the teeth that have caused inflammation are removed.

Hematoma

Occurs after injury during tooth extraction. The swelling is a little sore, soft to the touch. Mostly disappears on its own.

How to treat with folk remedies

When a fistula appears on the gum of any nature, it is recommended to use folk remedies. This has a more positive effect.

1. Kalanchoe juice – has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties. Rubbed into the site of fistula formation.
2. Tinctures from medicinal herbs (calendula, chamomile, lemon balm, sage) – relieve inflammation, dissolve bumps. They are used in the form of warm rinsing solutions.
3. A mixture of sea salt and honey – removes pus, has an antibacterial effect. For 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of salt is taken.

Important: folk remedies are auxiliary. They are not a substitute for qualified treatment. If you suspect a lump on the gum, you should contact a specialist in a timely manner.

This article is for informational purposes only, please consult your doctor for details!

90,000 what kind of discharge comes from inflammation when pressed, what to do when it goes and stands out, how to treat without pain and remove an unpleasant odor – treatment if a tooth hurts

Contents:

1. Why is pus coming out of the gums
2. Symptoms Indicating a Problem
3. Types of dental abscess
4. Reasons
5. How gums are treated
6. Is it possible to cure an abscess at home
7. Folk remedies
8. Why you shouldn’t delay visiting the dentist
9. Prevention
10. Summing up

In this article, we will analyze the main factors of the formation of pus in the gums, and what treatment of pathology is recommended by the dentists of the Dentica clinic.

The accumulation of exudate in the gingival membranes is a dangerous symptom indicating the development of an inflammatory process. This phenomenon should not be ignored. If an inflamed infiltrate appears in the mouth, you should immediately seek professional help. Under the guise of dental pathologies, no less serious organic diseases can be hidden. Only a doctor is able to correctly diagnose the disease and choose the optimal treatment.

Why is pus coming out of the gums

The pathological process is characterized by an infectious origin and develops when food particles enter the gum pocket and decay begins.Dead microbes and dead immune cells (exudate) gradually accumulate inside. An abscess testifies to deep tissue infection. The human body seeks to defend itself and cleanse the affected area from the pathogen. With the spread of pathogens, blood circulation increases. As a result, immune cells are rapidly transported to the source of infection to detect and neutralize bacteria.

Further, pus accumulates on the upper or lower gums and a purulent sac forms.Gradually, the flux expands, reaches the periosteum, provokes edema, swelling of the gum tissue and the inner part of the cheeks. The mucous membrane of the jaw becomes red and a fistula forms on it. A fistula is a kind of channel through which there is an abundant outflow of exudate from the focus of infection to the outside.

Symptoms indicating a problem

The first signals of infection of the oral mucosa are soreness and discomfort during meals.A fistula in the jaw is not at all a harmless phenomenon. Clinical symptoms of pathology:

1. Bitter taste.
2. Unpleasant sensations when eating hot and cold foods.
3. Burning throbbing pain.
4. Facial asymmetry.
5. Discomfort on palpation.
6. The gums are swollen, inflamed, when pressed, there is pus, blood, an unpleasant odor from the fistula.
7. Swelling of the cheek.
8. Edema.
9. Changing the natural shade of teeth.

Formation of a fistula on the jaw indicates a latent course of the pathological process in the body. The sick unit, near which the abscess is located, is most often covered with plaque or affected by caries. If the symptoms are ignored, the condition will worsen. Perhaps an increase in body temperature, weakness, migraine, an increase in the submandibular lymph nodes. If any of these symptoms appear, you should seek qualified medical help.

The condition when pus has formed in the gums is called an abscess.The progression of pathology leads to a violation of the periodontal apparatus, an increase in the mobility of units and their loss. With inflammation of the periosteum of the upper jaw, swelling of the lip and the facial area under the eye increases. When the lower rows are affected, swelling of the chin and cheek area is observed. Edema may remain for two to five days after treatment.

Types of dental abscess

Pyogenic bacteria enter healthy gingival tissue with blood flow or as a result of mechanical damage.An abscess occurs in the area of ​​the affected element. When the abscess matures, the mucous membrane acquires a bluish tint, a whitish spot or a characteristic bubble appears. With its rupture, a fistula is formed in the periodontium, through which the contents flow out. Such a phenomenon does not lead to the disappearance of the problem, the inflammation remains. Pathology is evidenced by the outflow of pus from the gums when pressing on the affected area. There are several types of abscess:

1. Gingival. The lesion is on the surface of the soft membrane and interdental papillae.The cause of the infiltration is associated with the ingress of food debris and mechanical injuries. If detected early, it lends itself well to therapy.
2. Periapical. A common type of pathology that develops as a result of untreated carious lesions or periodontitis. Infection of the dental root system leads to accumulation of exudate in the upper part of the root. With a decrease in immunity, the periosteum of the unit and the mucous membrane are affected, a fistula is formed, purulent sacs appear above the gum, and pus is released.
3. Periodontal. The infiltrate develops inside the gum tissue. Infected contents accumulate in the mucous membrane, forming a protrusion in the periodontal pocket. Due to the lack of a channel for the outflow of fluid, damage to the bone and soft tissues surrounding the diseased element occurs. There is a high likelihood of developing periodontitis.
4. Pericoronal. The pathological process is typical for erupting units. Bacteria and food debris fall under the “hood” from the mucous membrane.As a result, pus builds up over the tooth, and the gums swell and cause pain. The disease is dangerous with complications: neck edema, angina pectoris.
5. Periodontal-endodontic. Infectious damage to the pulp and periodontal tissues occurs. There is a risk of periodontitis.

The flux is characterized by several stages of development with characteristic manifestations:

1. Serous. Lightning current. The inner side of the cheek and mucous membrane swell in a couple of days.
2. Purulent. Continuous, debilitating, throbbing pain in the unit. Redness and swelling of the mucous membrane. Hyperthermia.
3. Diffuse. Swelling and soreness of the entire surface of the oral cavity, affects the nose, lips, and the outer part of the cheek.
4. Chronic. Gradual over months or years. Long-term remissions are followed by relapses. When the edema decreases, the inflamed areas remain dense.

Reasons

The overwhelming majority of reasons for the development of dental diseases are improper care of the oral cavity and neglect of health.As practice shows, infiltration is formed due to cuts, trauma, the use of dental prosthetic structures of the wrong size or shape. Permanent damage to the mucous membrane leads to suppuration.

A qualified dentist should answer the question of what to do if a tooth hurts, a purulent bag burst on the gum and pus has gone. In such a situation, urgent rehabilitation of the abscess is required. In a person who ignores the symptoms of infiltration, the infection can invade the tissues of the periosteum.The onset of complications is evidenced by hyperthermia and unbearable toothache. Pathology does not disappear on its own. A person needs fast and qualified medical care.

Inflammation with discharge of pus with periodontitis

If a bubble with putrid contents is near the apex of the root, the flux can spread to nearby elements. The affected area becomes edematous, touching it provokes severe pain.

Periodontitis is accompanied by the appearance of periodontal pockets between the mucous membranes and the surface of the dental root.Deposits accumulate in the cavity, provoking inflammation. There is swelling, bleeding, pus is squeezed out of the gums during hygiene procedures.

Violation of the outflow of fluid from the pocket leads to the formation of periodontal suppuration.

Presence of injury

The development of an abscess can be triggered by mechanical damage:

• careless use of toothpicks or dental floss;
• with a stiff brush;
• incorrect installation of the crown;

90,025 by the presence of destroyed units with sharp edges.

Injuries accompanied by damage to the periosteum can lead to periostitis with the outflow of putrefactive contents through the fistulous passages.

Timely seeking medical help will make it possible to understand that pus has accumulated between the tooth and the gum, and to prevent the development of phlegmon. Diffuse inflammation appears due to the rupture of the cyst and the spread of the infection to the surrounding tissues. This is due to the patient’s negligence towards medical prescriptions and the refusal of antibiotic therapy.

Emergency actions for suppuration

First of all, it is required to eliminate the source of infection. It is not worth delaying the visit to dentistry. Self-medication is hazardous to health.

Before medical assistance, it is recommended to adhere to the rules:

1. Do not use warming compresses. Heat can make the disease worse.
2. It is allowed to apply a piece of ice to the problem area. This will reduce pain.
3. If an abscess is found in the mouth, it means that qualified dental care is required.

Correctly diagnose the pathogenesis of infiltration and determine how and how to treat a purulent pimple and inflammation of the gums, only a doctor can.

It is necessary to contact the dentist on time to prevent complete destruction of the pulp and the onset of putrefactive processes in the periosteum. To stop the inflammatory pathology, under the supervision of a specialist, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial medications are taken.

How gums are treated

Periodontitis therapy begins with the removal of plaque and calculus. The use of local remedies stops the problem only for a short period of time. The latent course of the inflammatory process continues, leading to an increase in the depth of periodontal pockets and increased destruction of the bone tissue adjacent to the element.

An abscess in the mouth is a source of infection. The surgeon should open it and remove the pus from under the tooth in the gum without pain.Infiltration anesthesia is used. The resulting wound is treated with antiseptic solutions. Drainage is used to prevent premature overgrowth and to ensure that the contents flow out.

Therapy in dentistry

Depending on the state of neglect, medication or surgical treatment is selected.

Conservative technique is a long and laborious process, consisting of several stages:

1. Poll.The dentist examines the patient’s anamnesis and finds out when and under what circumstances a purulent formation appeared on the gums. It is important to know how quickly the pathology progressed.
2. Clinical examination. The localization, shape and color of the abscess is being studied. If necessary, X-ray diagnostics of the diseased part of the jaw is carried out. A snapshot is required for an objective assessment of the state of the structure of internal tissues. The further method is chosen depending on the neglect of the case.
3. Oral cavity disinfection.Thorough removal of food debris, plaque and tartar. Antiseptics, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
4. Treatment of purulent gums by creating an outflow of contents from the abscess. The medical procedure is performed at the Dentica clinic under local anesthesia. The surgeon carefully dissects the affected area and installs a drainage into the created incision to clear the cavity of infected fluid.

Requires long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs.To prevent the re-formation of the infiltration site, antibiotics and local antiseptic rinses are prescribed.

Some patients are worried about excruciating toothache and complaints that pus is released when pressing on the gums while chewing. In this case, there are no bumps on the jaw. In this situation, the above scheme will be ineffective. Surgery is required. If there is a seal, the surgeon carefully removes it and cleans the channels, flushing out purulent accumulations.A small focus of inflammation allows for filling.

In the presence of a granuloma or cyst, a temporary filling is placed for 3 months. At the end of the specified period, an X-ray is taken. If there is a positive trend, filling and installation of the crown is performed.

Additional procedures

A qualified dentist will tell you how to treat the gums if a purulent sac has burst and pus appears, and will give recommendations for further care of the teeth and oral cavity.To increase the effectiveness of conservative therapy, most doctors prescribe a course of physiotherapeutic procedures: electrophoresis, ultrasound and laser techniques. After passing, positive dynamics is noticeable. Subject to all medical recommendations, there is a decrease in discomfort and swelling, a general improvement in well-being.

Recovery

Many patients hesitate to go to dentistry and wonder if the treatment of purulent gums can be painless.Dental invasive procedures are performed under anesthesia without discomfort for the patient. Despite this, opening and draining an abscess is additional stress for the body. To speed up healing, you should adhere to the recommendations:

1. Follow medical instructions.
2. Take prescribed medications.
3. Protect yourself from stress.
4. Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
5. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
6. Perform daily hygiene procedures.
7. Use an irrigator, floss and dental rinse.

Compliance with the recommendations helps to accelerate recovery and prevent relapse.

Is it possible to cure an abscess at home

Patients with acute conditions are admitted to dentistry out of turn. Therefore, if you feel worse, you should not postpone the visit.

The first question that arises in a patient: why does pus appear in the gums and how to treat the pathology? The cause of infiltration is a weakened immune system and non-compliance with dental care measures.At the first symptoms of inflammation, you should immediately contact your dentist. Self-opening of a flux neoplasm threatens with the addition of a secondary infection.

It is strictly forbidden to heat the inflamed area. Heat activates purulent-necrotic processes and accelerates the spread of infectious agents.

Timely rehabilitation of the inflammatory focus in a clinic prevents complications.

Folk remedies

The effectiveness of treatment depends on competent diagnosis and strict adherence to medical prescriptions.Dentists at the Dentica clinic are able to correctly diagnose the problem and choose the right therapy. It is worth remembering that any diseases are easily eliminated at the initial stage.

In the absence of the possibility of an immediate visit to the doctor for dental diseases, the use of traditional medicine methods is allowed.

Pus under the tooth or above the gum can be an independent ailment or signal the development of periodontitis or gingivitis. These are serious pathologies that do not go away on their own.

The use of antiseptic rinsing contributes to the temporary relief of inflammation:

1. A teaspoon of baking soda, table salt or two furacilin tablets can be dissolved in 200 ml of water.
2. 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and warm water in a 50/50 ratio.
3. Pharmacy chamomile decoction. Pour boiling water over two tablespoons of the plant and let it brew.
4. Miramistin or chlorhexidine biglucanate solution.

The key manifestation of the disease is pain.Taking anelgesics will help ease the wait for a medical consultation.

Aloe leaf cut in half is used as applications.

Why you shouldn’t delay visiting the dentist

At first glance, pus on the gums looks like a problem that you can deal with on your own. This is a misconception. Neglecting your own health and ignoring the need for treatment increases the risk of complications.

Putrid forms of dental diseases occur with symptoms of general intoxication.In the absence of adequate medical intervention, the course of the disease can lead to pathological loosening and loss of a tooth, provoke blood loss, sepsis. Acute periostitis is especially dangerous, which can lead to phlegmon of the jaw and other serious consequences, up to and including death.

Prevention

• A healthy lifestyle and daily oral care with the use of personal hygiene products will help prevent the development of flux. Use a medium-hard brush for cleaning.
• After each meal, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with a special mouthwash or use dental floss. Instead of a pharmacy composition, it is allowed to use an aqueous solution of food, sea salt or alcohol tincture of propolis.
• Do not use non-sterile objects as toothpicks. Such actions lead to mechanical injury and infection.
• Periodic professional dental cleaning of teeth helps to remove calculus that provokes the development of gum inflammation with pus.
• The daily diet must be supplemented with fresh vegetables and fruits. Apples, carrots and other solid plant foods clean the enamel from plaque and strengthen the dentition.

It is also important to immediately treat dental defects and undergo regular clinical examinations at least twice a year. It is much easier to prevent dental disease than to treat its negative effects. You should be careful about your health and do not ignore the warning signals that the body gives.

Let’s summarize

Eliminate purulent inflammation of the gums and restore good health will allow timely access to a qualified dentist.

People who pay little attention to daily hygiene are susceptible to the development of pathology. Bacteria and microbes easily penetrate the damage in the tooth surface, provoking a focus in the pulp. Since there are nerve endings in this area, the inflammatory process is painful and painful.The disease is rapid and develops in a day. In the absence of proper therapy, an abscess threatens to damage the jaw bone, tooth loss and generalization of infection in the body.

Most often, the flux is detected in adults. Due to addictions and poor hygiene. Overloaded with work and everyday problems, people postpone a visit to the hospital until later. They are interested in what to do if the gums become inflamed, sore, swollen and there is pus at home. Without professional treatment, advanced diseases provoke inflammation of the root dental tissues.

In young children, the disease is manifested by erased symptoms. This is due to the reduced activity of immunity in babies who are not able to adequately resist the infection. The child needs treatment at the initial manifestations of the flux, otherwise the weakened body will have to face dangerous complications.

The clinic “Dentica” has modern equipment and high-class dentists with a rich medical practice. Specialists will quickly determine where the foci of pus in the gums are located and how to remove them.

Fistulas on the gums – causes, symptoms, diagnosis

A fistula on the gums (fistula) is a hole in the gums that is formed as a result of untreated or untreated inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, as well as poor quality dental care. Most often it occurs as a complication of chronic periodontitis. Since the appearance of a fistula is associated with an infection in the tooth canal, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, the body will be in a state of constant intoxication, which will significantly reduce the patient’s quality of life.Also, if you do not act, you can lose a tooth.

What is a fistula on the gum

With the development of inflammation due to the presence of a dental disease or as a result of poor-quality treatment, a cavity appears near the root of the tooth, filled with pus with an admixture of blood. A fistula is a formation that is a channel between this cavity and the gum surface. It has an outlet into the oral cavity. In other words, it is a kind of tube through which pus flows out of the focus of infection.

A fistula looks like a small opening in the gum located at the base of a tooth. The color of the formation differs from healthy tissues. It can be pink or red in color. Healthy teeth are not affected by infection.

Fistula occurs gradually and can be detected at an early stage. First, a swelling appears on the gums, then a formation that resembles an abscess or pimple. After this, the seal is opened, and purulent or mucous contents come out of it.After a while, the wound is scarred. However, the canal does not disappear anywhere, therefore, exacerbations are observed several times a year with the formation of a swelling and its opening.

Causes of fistula on the gum

The main cause of fistula is a chronic purulent process in the soft or bone tissues of the oral cavity. Infection (most often bacterial) can enter the periodontium (a complex of collagen fibers and connective tissues located in the slit space between the cement of the tooth root and the alveolar plate) due to:

• neglected caries,
• pulpitis,
• root perforation,
• chronic periodontitis,
• Incorrectly performed or incomplete dental treatment (poor-quality filling),
• wisdom tooth growth retardation,
• cyst inflammation.

The most common dental procedure, after which a fistula develops, is root canal filling. Of course, in the event that it is carried out poorly. Canal filling is usually performed in the treatment of pulpitis, periodontitis, and also as a preparatory procedure for dental prosthetics. The most common dental error is filling not to the root apex. However, even if the canal is sealed to its full length, pores may form if the filling material is not properly and tightly laid.In both cases, an infection can develop in the resulting voids, which will go beyond the tooth and cause an inflammatory process.

Also, during the cleaning of the canals before they are filled with instruments, the root of the tooth can be damaged (this damage is called perforation).

Symptoms of fistula on the gum

The fistula itself does not hurt. Discomfort is felt in nearby tissues or teeth. Symptoms of a fistula on the gum:

• Pain in the tooth when biting food (main symptom).
• Tissue edema, swelling on the gums.
• Formation of a hole in the gum located in the immediate vicinity of the tooth.
• Pain, discomfort, pulsation in soft tissues.
• Scar on the gingival mucosa.
• Discharge of purulent or mucous fluid.
• Mobility of the tooth, near which the pathological process has developed.
• Bad breath, characteristic of purulent inflammations.

Help! The pain in the gums becomes especially noticeable when pressure is applied to the tissue.

Even if you see not a hole on the gum, but a scar, this is not a reason to refuse medical care. After all, the purulent cavity near the tooth does not heal, there is always an infection in it.

Complications of fistula on the gum

If the pathological process is started, the following consequences may occur:

• Tooth loss.
• Lesions of the soft tissues of the face.
• Infection of the periosteum and death of blood vessels, as a result of which several teeth can be lost at once.

It should be borne in mind that signs of a fistula do not appear immediately. Especially if the reason for its appearance is a medical error. At first, the pathological process is latent, asymptomatic. Therefore, if a patient in the course of a dental procedure has doubts about the qualifications of a doctor, after it he should be especially attentive to the state of the oral cavity and, at the slightest suspicion of the development of purulent inflammation, seek medical help.

Diagnostics

Fistula is diagnosed during a dental examination. Then an X-ray examination is prescribed to determine the stage of the disease and the depth of tissue damage.

How to treat a fistula on the gum

It is impossible to cure a fistula on your own, only a dentist should definitely do this.

Treatment tactics depend on the cause of the development of the disease.The source of the infection must be eliminated first. If it is caries, then it is treated. Then the cleaned cavity can be treated with laser beams or ultrasound to prevent recurrence of the pathology. After that, the cavity is filled.

If the cause of the fistula was a poor-quality filling of the canal, then it is unsealed and an anti-inflammatory drug is injected into it. After a while, the medicine is removed, the canal is sealed.

Also, a cyst can be the cause of a fistula. It must be removed to stop the pathological process.

After the cause of the development of the fistula is eliminated, the oral cavity is treated with antimicrobial drugs. Antibiotics and antihistamines may also be prescribed. To eliminate edema, salt rinses are prescribed.

Help! If granulation of the fistula occurs, then the pathological formation is removed with a laser.

In advanced cases, a surgical intervention is prescribed, during which the tooth is removed along with the purulent cavity, and then the fistulous canal is cleared.

Help! It should be understood that the fistula cannot be removed in one visit to the dentist. Typically, treatment takes several weeks or even months.

Prevention

Fistula prevention consists in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and timely treatment of dental formations.It is also necessary to visit the dentist annually for prophylaxis, even in the absence of symptoms of pathologies. In addition, it is recommended to carry out professional oral hygiene every 6 months. If you have already had a fistula and you have successfully undergone treatment, you need even closer attention to the condition of your teeth and gums.

Home treatment of sore gums

Gum disease is a common disease that affects adults and children of all ages.Usually accompanied by increased sensitivity, swelling, aching pain. In advanced cases, bleeding appears. Sore gums cause discomfort: they do not allow to eat normally, react to cold and hot temperatures, and finally, they just hurt. What makes your gums hurt?

Treatment of gums at home is possible, but only in the initial stages of the development of the disease. If the gum is swollen and painful, it is best to see a doctor immediately. Only a dentist can determine the cause of the disease and prescribe the correct medications.

In mild cases, the doctor may prescribe home treatment for gum disease: rinsing, special cleaning, ointments and gels, medicinal decoctions. In any case, therapy – even prevention – should be supervised by a specialist!

Contents

Gum disease is rarely a disease in its own right. This is a side effect that signals the development of a disease in the body, most often associated with tooth infection.

Most common gum diseases:

• Gingivitis. This ailment is of three forms: catarrhal, ulcerative and hypertrophic. Pathology develops quickly, and if you do not visit dentistry in a timely manner, long antibacterial treatment will be required, possibly with surgery. The symptom of the disease is most often the inflammation of the gums near the tooth.
• Periodontitis is an advanced form of gingivitis. Symptoms of the disease are purulent discharge, bone tissue atrophies, root canals are exposed.This can cause tooth loss.
• Periodontal disease is dangerous because it is often asymptomatic, does not cause pain, and there is no tartar. The disease usually occurs in the elderly. However, without timely treatment, the disease is gradually transformed into periodontitis, which has serious consequences.

Common causes of gum disease:

• Non-observance of oral hygiene;
• Plaque
• Errors in dental treatment and prosthetics;
• Weakened immunity;
• Problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• Reaction to certain types of drugs;
• Changes in hormonal levels, for example, in connection with pregnancy.

It is important to correctly determine the cause of the development of the inflammatory process, and this can only be done by a qualified specialist. Treatment is prescribed depending on the complexity of the disease: from preventive measures to antibiotics.

Antiseptic rinsing can be used to quickly relieve gum inflammation. Dissolve two furacilin tablets, a small spoonful of baking soda or table salt in warm water. You can also use a solution of miramistin or chlorhexidine biglucanate.

Signs of gum inflammation

Pain is the most important symptom of gum disease. If you feel discomfort or cutting pain while eating food, this indicates the presence of inflammation. The damaged area of ​​the gums swells, is felt in the oral cavity and is visible on examination. Thanks to these symptoms, you can find the problem area. Upon further examination, you can notice reddening of the gums, the inflamed area will stand out against the background of a uniform pinkish tint of the mucous membrane.

How to treat inflammation? There are many home treatments for gum disease. Dentists usually recommend anti-inflammatory antiseptic drugs. The optimal treatment regimen is prescribed by the dentist after diagnosis. Consider the most effective therapy options.

Rinsing with solutions

Rinsing with special solutions helps to quickly get rid of pain and stop inflammatory processes in soft tissues.The compositions of the solutions disinfect the gum surface, destroying pathogenic bacteria. It is necessary to rinse the gums after each meal, 2 to 4 times a day. Some drugs of this group are used in pure form, others must be diluted in water.

To solve the treatment of sore gums, dentists usually prescribe the following solutions:

• Furacilin;
• Chlorhexidine;
• Miramistin;
• Rotokan;
• Stomatofit;
• Malawit;
• Listerine;
• Chlorophyllipt.

The listed funds are usually used to prevent diseases of the oral cavity, reduce pain and reduce inflammation, but do not apply to independent treatment. Therefore, rinsing is usually prescribed in combination with other procedures.

Cleaning and rinsing with an irrigator with special solutions

Treating gum disease at home is possible with an irrigator, a modern oral care device that is more effective than a toothbrush.The principle of operation is based on a directed flow of water, which helps to clean even hard-to-reach places.

In case of sore gums, an irrigator becomes irreplaceable: unlike a toothbrush, it does not injure the gum, the jet pressure can be adjusted, and most importantly, medicinal solutions and rinses can be placed in the device.

The following solutions are suitable for use in an irrigator:

• Donfeel. Available in two types: for daily use and dental treatment.The composition includes only natural ingredients and a vitamin complex, extracts of medicinal plants such as mint, chamomile, calendula, lemon balm. Thanks to this, the solution has a soothing effect, suitable for children and adults.
• Peridex. Professional care product containing 0.2% chlorhexidine. It is widely used for therapeutic purposes, it effectively destroys pathogenic bacteria.
• PerioGard. Antiseptic based on chlorhexidine, removes plaque, prevents the development of gingivitis.
• Asepta. A multipurpose solution used to remove bacterial plaque and has a wound healing effect.

The advantages of using an irrigator in gum treatment include a mild effect on inflamed tissues and absolute painlessness.

Healing ointments and gels

For the treatment of pain in the gums at home, you can use local agents: ointments and gels with an antiseptic effect. They enhance the effect of rinsing, complement other types of treatment.These tools include:

• Metrogyl Denta is an antimicrobial drug based on two antibacterial components: chlorhexidine and metronidazole;
• Parodontocyte – contains extracts of medicinal plants: mint, sage, cloves and oregano;
• Gengigel – contains hyaluronic acid, promotes tissue regeneration;
• Stomatofit A – has an analgesic effect, is used for long-term therapeutic effects;
• Cholisal – used for local anesthesia, has antimicrobial effect;
• Asepta – propolis-based balm with wound healing action, helps to fight bleeding;
• Solcoseryl – a strong anesthetic that promotes the speedy recovery of the mucous membrane;
• Dental – relieves swelling, eliminates pain;
• Revive – restores calcium levels, makes tooth enamel stronger.

All ointments and gels form a protective film on the surface of the mucous membranes, which gives a long-term effect.

Toothpastes

For sore gums, special toothpastes should be used. These are pharmaceutical products made on the basis of extracts of medicinal herbs and medicinal plants. Such pastes are used strictly according to the doctor’s prescription, applied to the teeth and gums. Treatment is carried out in courses, no more than 1 month each, after which a break is taken.

Antibiotics

Prescribed in complicated and advanced cases when other methods of treatment do not work. Antibiotics are prescribed by the attending physician, based on the etymology of the disease. It is forbidden to take drugs of this group on your own. Self-medication can worsen the patient’s condition, often causing side effects.

The maximum effect of antibiotic treatment of gums can be achieved only in combination, combining medications with irrigators, gels and rinsing.

Vitamins

Vitamin complexes are an auxiliary therapeutic technique that complements other methods of treatment. They make up for the lack of useful enzymes in the body, which are necessary for strengthening the tooth enamel and soft tissues. With inflammation and bleeding of the gums, vitamins of the groups are usually prescribed: A, B, C, K, E, PP.

Herbal decoctions

What to do if the gum is sore and sore? How to treat gum disease at home if there is no pharmacy nearby and you can’t go to the doctor? In an emergency, you can use medicinal decoctions, rinses, which have an anti-inflammatory and healing effect:

• Sage – application: a spoonful of dry inflorescences in a glass of boiling water;
• Calendula – brew a teaspoon in 200 ml of water, leave for half an hour;
• Oak bark – boil 2 tablespoons at 0.5 liters of water, let stand for 10 minutes, then strain through cheesecloth;
• Yarrow – 2 tablespoons of flowers are added to 0.5 liters of water, boiled for 15 minutes, then cooled;
• Chamomile – 1 tablespoon per 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes.

Rinses 3-6 times a day, usually after a meal.

You can also rinse your mouth if the gums are swollen with propolis. As a multicomponent substance containing biologically active compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it can serve as a potential chemotherapeutic, chemopreventive and antitumor agent.To prepare a rinse solution, take 20 drops of propolis alcohol tincture and mix with 200 mi of pure water, rinse your mouth two to three times a day.

Permanent home remedies for inflamed gums are carried out only with the permission of the attending physician. Not all folk remedies can be combined with drugs, therefore, such therapy on a long-term basis is carried out strictly on an individual basis.

The most effective way to get rid of inflammation is a comprehensive treatment under the supervision of a qualified specialist.The doctor prescribes medications depending on the stage of the disease, gives recommendations for additional and preventive oral cavity care.

Self-medication often provokes unwanted complications, which can result in loss of teeth or surgery. It is necessary to consult a dentist in case of severe pain, bleeding and swelling of the gums, and the appearance of abscesses.

Only prophylactic agents can be used independently: irrigators, gels and rinsing solutions.Timely prevention will prevent gum disease and keep your teeth healthy!

Suitable products

Questions and answers

Can antibiotics be used for gum disease?

It is possible, but only as prescribed by your doctor and in the dosage that will be prescribed by a specialist.

How to treat flux

26 Sep 2019 16:00

Diseases of the oral cavity are not only caries and bleeding gums.There are situations when a lump with pus appears on the gum. This pathology is also called “flux” or “periostitis” – inflammation of the jaw periosteum. And how to treat the flux really worries the owners of this disease. After all, many try to cope on their own using folk methods, but this does not help. Read on for what dentists advise to do if you get flux.

What to do first

Have you found an incomprehensible lump (white, yellow, pink) on the gum of yourself or your child? It is not necessary to smear it with anything (“brilliant green” or hydrogen peroxide), it is not necessary to pierce the shell so that pus or exudate flows out.First of all, you should go to the dentist – and not as a waiting order for several days, as it happens in public clinics, but urgently. Of course, if everything happened in the evening, and the pain does not bother much, then you can wait until morning.

Home help

While you are still at home, you can rinse your mouth with a decoction of chamomile, linden blossom or oak bark, you can also use a soda solution. If a high fever has risen or soreness increases, then take an antipyretic or pain reliever (by the way, most modern drugs have both of these effects).But immediately before a visit to the dentist, you do not need to take painkillers, because this will smooth out the symptoms, and the doctor may prescribe incomplete treatment.

Treatment without tooth extraction

Treatment can be both conservative and surgical. For example, if the lump is very small, then the doctor can simply prescribe antibiotics and rinsing with pharmacy solutions (Rotokan or others). If the capsule with pus is of medium or large size, then it is opened, then the periosteum is opened to remove all the pus.All manipulations are performed by a dentist-surgeon. Next, a course of antibiotics is prescribed.

Important to know! If the purulent masses do not come out completely, the dentist will install a drainage tube for 2-3 days. And after a complete outflow of pus, the tissues are sutured. Then rinsing your mouth for a couple of days is prohibited, because the seams may be damaged or the periosteum will be re-infected, but mouth baths can be done instead of rinsing. It is strictly forbidden to heat the operation site!

When removal is mandatory

In some cases, it is necessary to remove a tooth located in the immediate vicinity of the defect.This indication is often found in the presence of cysts or granulomas on the roots of the tooth, which have become the causes of the flux. Or in children – when the milk tooth should soon be replaced by a permanent one, and the presence of a focus of infection can lead to damage to the rudiment of a permanent tooth.

But sometimes deleting may not be enough! For example, if a neoplasm at the roots has led to serious infection and suppuration of the periosteum. Then, after removing the tooth, the dentist again opens the periosteum and removes the pus (he can also supply drainage).

Who is at risk

Most often, flux is diagnosed in children – after a face injury or due to pulpitis untreated in time. Also, periostitis is often found in people after a long illness, in old age – when the immune system is weakened. Middle-aged patients often acquire flux due to poor-quality dental treatment, due to poor oral hygiene, due to the use of toothpicks. Therefore, to reduce the risk of illness, pay maximum attention to your health and oral care, listen to children’s complaints, and regularly visit your dentist for prevention.

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Source: http://involokolamsk.ru/novosti/uslugi/kak-lechit-flyus

90,000 Inflammation of the gums near the crown of the tooth – news and articles Refformat

Inflammation of the gums near the tooth
under the crown is treated based on the original cause that caused it.

Every person’s gums at least once in their life have become inflamed.This is usually due to brushing your teeth too aggressively, using a hard toothbrush, too much pressure on the soft tissues of the floss, or eating very hard foods. If the causative factor is eliminated, the gum quickly heals and the inflammation goes away. But there are situations when the gums become inflamed near the crown of the tooth, and there were no obvious reasons for this condition. In this case, you need the help of a dentist.

Why the gums around the crown become inflamed

In addition to mechanical damage, the gums can react with swelling due to the irritating effect on it of chemicals contained in oral hygiene products – toothpaste, rinses.

However, swelling of the gums near the tooth under the crown can be caused by more serious causes. So, for example, puffiness can be a sign of:

• Gingivitis or periodontitis. Usually appears with poor oral hygiene, the presence of dental plaque, malocclusion, poorly fitted crowns, as well as hypovitaminosis, endocrine disruptions. At first, the gum swells and bleeds, there may be a darkening of the gums around the tooth at the crown, and later suppuration and mobility of the tooth join.
• Gumboil, or periostitis. This disease affects the hard periodontal tissues and, in particular, the periosteum of the jaw. Very often the flux of the tooth under the crown is a consequence of asymptomatic pulpitis or periodontitis. If the gumboil is not treated, there are two possible options for the development of the disease – involution of the gumboil and its spontaneous opening. In the second case, a fistula is formed on the gum (tooth under the crown), through which purulent contents flow out. In this case, the pain sensations subside, but the inflammatory process itself continues and without appropriate treatment, osteomyelitis of the jaw can form.
• An abscess of the alveolar ridge is another complication of pulpitis, periodontitis or caries that has arisen in the tooth under the crown. With this disease, the patient will complain not only that the gums are swollen over the crown of the tooth, but also of sharp pain in the jaw, aggravated by heat, asymmetry of the face, unilateral enlargement of the submandibular and cervical lymph nodes.
• Overloading the denture with irrational prosthetics can lead to the fact that the crown of the tooth has moved away from the gum and food begins to clog under it.As a result, the mobility of the abutment teeth appears, and the soft tissues of the oral cavity become inflamed (gingivitis).

What to do if the gums become inflamed near the crown

Inflammation of the gums near the tooth under the crown is treated based on the original cause. So, if swelling of soft tissues appeared as a result of trauma to the gums with a brush or due to the chemical components that make up the rinses, it is enough to replace the oral hygiene products with more suitable ones, and treat the gum itself with antiseptics.

If the swelling of the gums is caused by the development of dental pathology – gingivitis, periodontitis, etc., complex treatment is necessary – professional cleaning, curettage of periodontal pockets, application of anti-inflammatory and wound healing ointments, injection of vitamins into the gums, and sometimes antibiotics.