What is an abscessed tooth?
An abscessed tooth is an infection at the root of the tooth or the area between the gums and the tooth. This condition is most often caused by severe tooth decay, trauma to the tooth, or gum disease. An abscessed tooth can lead to openings in the tooth enamel, allowing bacteria to enter and infect the center (dental pulp) of the tooth and spread to the bone.
Is my tooth abscessed?
You may have an abscessed tooth if you experience a severe, continuous toothache. Other common symptoms of an abscessed tooth include:
- Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Pain when chewing
- Fever
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- Red, swollen gums
- A swollen area in the upper or lower jaw
- Swollen neck glands
- An open, draining sore on the side of the gums
Our caring dentists will be able to determine whether you have an abscessed tooth. They will then recommend the treatment you need to restore your oral health and relieve the painful symptoms.
How do you treat an abscessed tooth?
There are three main ways to treat an abscessed tooth. First, we may recommend root canal therapy, which involves draining the abscess and removing the diseased and infected tissues from the tooth. Second, if the tooth is so severely infected that it cannot be restored, we may suggest tooth extraction. The final option is to drain the abscess through an incision in the gums. Dr. Steven W. Huber and Dr. Samuel R. Pelkey and associates will help you determine which option is right for your abscessed tooth in Grove City, Ohio. For more information, please contact us today at Ohio Urgent Dental Care.
