When To See A Dentist For Swollen Gums

A woman with tooth pain from swollen gumsIf you are suffering from painful, swollen gums you know that something is not right in your mouth, but whether or not you need to seek the attention of a dentist immediately can be confusing. One clear situation in which you definitely need emergency treatment is if the swollen area contains an abscess.

An abscess is a fluid filled pocket, much like a blister, except that it is in your mouth. This is particularly concerning, however, because it is likely to be infected. An infection of the mouth, if left untreated, can actually be life threatening due to the speed in which it can spread into the blood. You should seek treatment by a dentist as soon as you notice this type of condition.

Another time that you should seek the help of a dentist is if your swollen and painful gums are a result of a broken or chipped tooth. As you read above, the reason that your gums are swollen could be due to a serious infection. When your teeth suffer trauma it makes it easier for germs to invade areas that were once protected. A dentist can fix the problem as well as clean your mouth so that the infection is stopped before it becomes worse.

Other situations in which you should seek immediate emergency dental care are when there are additional symptoms to the swelling of gums. Extreme swelling or pain are a sign that something serious is occurring. You should also go in if you have a fever, or just do not feel well. It is a sign that there is infection. Finally, if the swelling is causing your tooth to feel loose, you definitely need to get to a dentist as soon as you can.

These are the most common signs that you need the help of a dentist in order for the condition to be remedied. Many times people hope that the problem will go away for it to just get worse. The sooner that you get the right care, the better off you will be in the long run. There really is no reason to suffer for longer than you have to, and in some cases you may be even putting your life at risk.

If you experience any of the symptoms above, or are merely concerned that something is not right, you should see a dentist immediately.

The Main Reason That A Dental Abscess Needs To Be Treated Right Away

facial swelling from a dental abscess gum infectionA dental abscess can be quite serious and you really don’t want to let it get out of hand. First of all an abscess underneath a tooth will be very painful, so you will have no doubt that something significant is going on.

The abscess is actually an accumulation of pus and bacterial infection that originates from withing the pulp of the tooth. These situations usually originate because over time there has been too much buildup of plaque on the teeth themselves, and the plaque harbors bacteria which can get under the gums, and if left untreated has the propensity of developing into an infection.

If you have throbbing pain and lots of pressure in the gum area, chances are you have an abscess and you should see a dentist immediately. Your dentist will be able to examine your situation, and will know what to do to take care of the problem immediately.

 

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If the abscess has not grown outside of the immediate gum area, it can be incised, or lanced by the dentist to let the pus drain out of the area, and medication can be given in the way of an antibiotic to further fight the infection.

If the abscess is deeper, and underneath and affecting a tooth, the tooth may be dead and a root canal will be performed. A hole will be drilled into the dead tooth so that the pus can be drained out that way, and any damaged tissue can be removed. The a filling for the root can fill in the empty space. Other more complex surgical procedures can be performed by an oral surgeon.

A dental abscess, if it is left untreated can cause the infection to spread throughout the circulatory system with infection reaching the brain or the heart with more serious consequences. This is why it is imperative to get this situation treated as soon as possible.