A family dentist is a professional who offers various general dentistry procedures to patients of all ages. Those who practice family dentistry can treat many serious dental concerns, including an abscessed tooth. In addition to being painful, an abscess can lead to further health concerns. Patients experiencing this issue should seek treatment right away.
An abscess occurs when pus forms a pocket around an infected tooth root. While teeth have hard enamel and dentin on their outer layers, they house connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. The tissue, known as the pulp, can become infected because of a deep cavity, cracked tooth, or gum disease. When a tooth becomes infected, it can kill the pulp and cause an abscess to develop.
A family dentist can diagnose and treat tooth abscesses in patients of any age.
Abscessed teeth cannot heal themselves. One of the first signs of infection is pain. Patients may present with throbbing and gnawing pain or sharp and shooting pain. Some people may experience severe pain when biting down, while others may have continuous pain. Generally, a tooth infection causes temperature sensitivity that lingers long after removing the culprit.
Other symptoms individuals may face include:
A stop to the pain does not indicate a healing infection. Sometimes, toothaches stop because the pulp in the tooth dies, killing the nerves. Even if a patient cannot feel the infection, it can continue spreading, destroying other tissues.
To diagnose an abscessed tooth, the family dentist will take an X-ray to determine the cause of the infection and the damage caused by the abscess. When it comes to treatment, dentists have various options available.
One option involves draining the abscess. The professional makes a small incision to release the pus. The dentist may place a small rubber drain to keep the area open if necessary.
One of the most common treatments for patients with an abscess is a root canal. The professional remove the inner pulp during this procedure and fills the space with material to seal it against further infection. Following the process, a patient should be able to return to normal. Some dentists will fit the patient with a crown to protect the root canal.
If dentists cannot save abscessed teeth, they may extract them instead. Sometimes, an extraction provides dentists with a way to drain the abscess. Many patients also take antibiotics to treat the infection, especially if it has spread to other areas of the mouth.
A family dentist can diagnose and treat a dental abscess for patients of all ages. When diagnosed with an abscess, most patients need either a root canal or tooth extraction.
Request an appointment here: https://www.eaglerockdentistry.com or call Eagle Rock Family Dentistry at (323) 621-3100 for an appointment in our Los Angeles office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Family Dentist in Los Angeles, CA.
If you cannot recall your last dental exam, chances are it is well past time to visit the dentist. These examinations are not formalities that you can check off from a list. Rather, a wellness appointment is critical to your oral health and helps with how you look and feel. When you are ready to…
Dental emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time, so it is beneficial to have an emergency dentist. You should find a dentist before the need arises. Experiencing any dental emergency is bad enough without having to prolong the suffering and pain while looking for a dentist. No one wants to be in a position…
Experiencing dental trauma or severe oral health conditions can require a visit to the emergency dentist. Read on to learn about dental issues that an emergency dentist can address. While certain situations are straightforward to diagnose and treat, emergency dentists may also diagnose and treat more difficult issues.Many people do not visit the emergency dentist…
An All-on-4® treatment can replace multiple teeth. This extensive procedure is for people who are going to have several teeth extracted. It is also for those who have lost many teeth already. Knowing all that you can about the teeth-replacement options available to you is important. If you want to know if an All-on-4 can…
Any person who has an All-on-4® treatment can have a dental transformation in one day.
After you get home from a dental visit, brush and floss your teeth; if necessary,…
A smile makeover is a combination of treatments that are used to fix cosmetic problems…
Having an emergency dentist is convenient because it will ensure that all your dental problems…
While the material used to create Invisalign® trays is very durable, it is still possible…
While veneers are a popular choice for many patients, they are newer to dentistry compared…
