Severe gum disease may cause your gums to pull away from your teeth which, over time, can lead to an abscess. Throbbing pain in adjacent teeth is often a symptom of an abscess. An abscess may also cause illness which can sometimes be very serious.
Deep holes or pockets are created via an abscess, and these holes may become filled with pus and bacteria. Left untreated, an abscess will grow and can cause permanent harm to your gums and teeth.
You should also avoid smoking while being treated for an abscess, as tobacco slows down the healing process.
What is a gum abscess?
A gum abscess can be very serious. It consists of a space between the gums and the roots that have become infected. An opening in the gums that have become infected may also be considered a gum abscess.
Gum abscesses and dental abscesses are not quite the same, but the symptoms and treatments administered are usually the same way.
Home-based treatments can be used to deal with some of the symptoms of a gum abscess. However, such tooth infection treatment will only work temporarily. You will need to see a dentist or an oral surgeon to treat a gum abscess fully.
Different Types of Tooth Abscesses
A periapical abscess is an abscess that is situated at the tip of the root of a tooth. A periodontal abscess is located on the gum that is situated next to the tooth’s root. Left untreated, it may spread to the surrounding bone and tissue.
As for a gingival abscess, it is an abscess that infects the gums.
Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess
If you notice that your gums and teeth have become sensitive over time, it may be due to a dental abscess. An abscess almost always causes a throbbing pain in the tooth that is affected. The pain may come and go but is usually described as intense by most patients.
Halitosis, or bad breath, is also a telltale sign that you are dealing with an abscess. While mouthwash can be used to temporarily mask the bad breath, it will do nothing to help treat the root cause of the problem.
Loose teeth are also a serious sign that you need to see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Left untreated, an abscess may lead to the premature loss of your teeth.
Bleeding gums are usually caused by gum disease or aggressive brushing and/or flossing. However, an abscess may also be the cause, so it is best to check with your dentist or periodontist during your next checkup.
An emerging abscess may also cause red gums that appear puffy or swollen. An abscess may also cause a fever and, in severe cases, lead to death.
A receding gum line is also a sign that you may be dealing with a serious abscess that requires prompt treatment.
Treatment Options for a Gum Abscess
A common treatment for a gum abscess will involve draining the abscess after it has been opened. You will not feel any pain during the procedure, as the area will be numbed sufficiently.
The area between your teeth and your gums will also be inspected for any contaminants, which will be removed accordingly. A minor to moderately abscessed tooth can be saved with a root canal in most cases.
The infected material will be removed and the pus can be drained from the infected tooth. The entire process may take 2 to 3 appointments, depending on the severity and the dentist.
Once the infected material has been extracted, the tooth will be repaired with a crown. A tooth that has been saved via a root canal may last you a lifetime in some cases, although it will likely require some repair work over the years.
Severe abscesses will usually require a full extraction/removal of the tooth. After the tooth has been removed, your oral surgeon or dentist will replace it with a synthetic tooth (i.e. dental implant).
Your dentist or surgeon may opt to drain the infected tissue from your gums by making a small incision in your gums instead.
A gum abscess will almost always require the use of antibiotics while you are being treated for it.
The bacteria that is causing your infection will need to be killed via an antibiotic: This will not only prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your body but will also prevent the infection from reinfecting you in the future.
Pain and swelling in the affected area may also be reduced by taking an antibiotic. However, an antibiotic cannot cure an abscess. The only surefire way to eliminate an abscess is by having a qualified dentist or oral surgeon remove it permanently.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will take x-rays in order to better gauge the extent of the infection and damage. Most abscesses are easily treated via dental work and antibiotics and involve minimal pain and no complications.
Please discuss different abscessed tooth treatments with your dentist to determine the best course of treatment for your condition.
Protect Your Teeth
Some abscesses may cause a small lump on your gums that looks like a pimple. The pimple may appear white or yellow due to the boil being filled with pus. The lump may also burst, causing your mouth to taste like acidic copper.
Your oral treatment will focus on alleviating any pain that you are in, while also clearing up the infection that is causing your pain.
An tooth abscess treatment can only be treated successfully by a highly trained and qualified dentist or surgeon. Permanent relief can only be obtained by dental work.
Home remedies can help provide temporary relief for your condition but will not be able to permanently eliminate the abscess.
An abscess will start small but will only grow larger, infecting other parts of the body, including the throat, and in some cases, the heart and lungs.