Are you experiencing pain, swelling, difficulty opening your mouth or pus discharge? If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it could be a tooth abscess that is causing you pain, and it is important to address it as soon as possible! Even if you are not feeling all these symptoms or if the pain is not severe, it is always best to intervene before the abscess gets worse.
The Centre Dentaire & D’implantologie Boucherville of Complexe Santé 550 explains to you what an abscess is and what its consequences are, how to treat it and how to prevent it. Trust your dentists on the South Shore to keep your oral health at its best.
What Is an Abscess?
An abscess, whether dental or not, is a mass of pus, most often due to an accumulation of bacteria leading to an infection.
Dental abscesses are divided into two categories depending on their location: apical abscesses and periodontal abscesses. As its name indicates, periodontal abscesses are located in the periodontal tissues; the causes range from gum or periodontal disease to loosening of the teeth or the wearing of ill-fitting dentures.
Apical abscesses, on the other hand, do not have a periodontal source, but a dental one; it can be, for example, the necrosis of the nerve caused by an untreated cavity or by an impact to the tooth.
Several symptoms may appear with the abscess, including pain when chewing, difficulty opening the mouth, swelling, redness, and even pus discharge and fever.
Regardless of the symptoms, it is important to have the abscess treated by a dentist: trying to treat it yourself is sometimes tempting but can be harmful. Even if the abscess is already drilled, your dentist will make sure that it is properly drained, cleaned and disinfected with the appropriate equipment.
The treatment consists of drainage or curettage; if the abscess is located in the periodontium, the affected area will be fully treated by your dentist. Our care team will clean the infected area and the dentist will prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection as well as painkillers if needed to relieve the discomfort. It is important to react promptly to the appearance of an abscess; if the infection is too advanced, the tooth may have to be completely removed.
However, simple habits can help prevent an abscess from forming because, as the saying goes, better safe than sorry! Since abscesses are often linked to poor oral hygiene, daily cleaning and regular visits to the dentist can often prevent them from occurring.
Daily habits should also be monitored, whether it be diet (alcohol, sugary and acidic foods) or harmful habits on the teeth such as smoking.
During your consultation, our dental health specialists will treat the abscess, but will also help you identify the causes of its appearance. Thus, they will advise you on good oral habits that you can implement to prevent the infection from recurring.
Small or Big Boo-Boo, Trust in Our Pros!
If you suspect an abscess or if it is in an advanced stage, our team will quickly see you to treat it. No matter what symptoms you are experiencing, oral pain and discomfort should not be taken lightly.
The Centre Dentaire & D’implantologie Boucherville is ready to welcome you, whether it is for an urgent treatment or a routine maintenance. Our South Shore dental centre is equipped with the latest technology to provide you with fast, effective and painless treatments.