Dental Emergencies

Abscess and Infection Treatment in Gosnells

Abscesses are painful and often lead to more severe problems.

It’s essential that you seek treatment from a dentist if you think an abscess is forming around your tooth. However, it can be hard to know when this happens because it is usually painless at first.

Our dental team in Ashburton has years of experience treating all types of mouth infections, including abscesses, and we have developed a specialised protocol for them to help our patients feel better faster while also reducing the risk of complications down the road. We use advanced technology such as digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to diagnose these problems quickly, so our patients don’t have to suffer any longer than necessary before getting relief from their pain or discomfort.

The Benefits Of Treating
Abscess and Infection

Among the benefits of treating an abscessed tooth is that the pain will be relieved, and the function of your mouth will be improved. A severe infection can cause severe pain that hinders your daily activities, including chewing and talking. In some cases, it might even prevent you from opening your mouth. If left untreated for an extended period of time, the abscess can also lead to swelling of the tissues around the area or further decay of other teeth in your mouth.

While you’ll have some pain following treatment, it should be less severe than before. The symptoms can be managed with antibiotic treatment if necessary.

Once all traces of soft tissue infection are removed, your dentist will take steps to maintain healthy dental tissues and prevent future problems from occurring.

Why Choose
Ashburton Dental Centre for emergency treatment of an abscess and infection?

Are you in pain?

If you’re experiencing sudden, severe pain or discomfort due to recent dental treatment, we can help. We offer emergency services for patients who need immediate attention and care. Our dental health care team will work with you to provide relief for the pain and discomfort caused by an abscess or dental infection, so you can get back to enjoying life again.

You can trust our experienced team of professionals for all of your urgent dental needs. Whether it be a toothache, broken crowns or fillings, we will do everything we can to provide relief from the discomfort and restore your oral health so that you can enjoy eating and smiling again without pain. Please don’t wait until tomorrow; let us take care of it today!

FAQ's About Abscess and Infections

Signs that You Have an Abscess or Tooth Infection.

A dental abscess is a painful dental infection that usually starts suddenly and becomes more intense over time. The pain may radiate to the jawbone, ear, or neck in some cases.

The following signs and symptoms characterise a dental abscess:

The affected area is the one that hurts when bitten or touched.

Gums that are swollen and red

Temperature sensitivities to hot and cold foods and liquids

There is a bad taste and smell in the mouth.

Swollen lymph nodes

An inability to open the mouth

Having trouble swallowing

A general feeling of unwellness

What causes a dental abscess?

If you have an abscess, your wound or infection site has become contaminated and serves as a breeding ground for bacteria. When left untreated, these bacteria can lead to severe complications and life-threatening diseases such as sepsis. That’s why it’s essential to regularly check on wounds and ensure that they’re not infected before they burst and release potentially harmful contents into your body.

Periapical abscess: Bacteria enter the tooth through tiny holes produced by tooth decay or caries. Caries destroys the softer dentine tissue beneath the enamel over time. Without effective treatment, the decay will eventually penetrate the soft pulp tissue of the tooth. The pulp is composed of nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels.

As the pulpitis advances, the bacteria travels to the alveolar bone, surrounding and protecting the tooth. As a result, the periapical abscess is formed.

Periodontal abscess: Periodontitis occurs when plaque contains bacteria that infects the gums. Inflammation of the gums leads to the separation of the root from the base of the tooth. When the periodontal ligament separates from the root, a tiny gap known as a periodontal pocket develops. The pocket is difficult to keep clean because it gets dirty easily. A periodontal abscess forms as bacteria accumulate in the periodontal pocket.

Gingival abscess: The buildup of bacteria in the tissues between teeth and gums causes a gum abscess. Gum abscesses are more prevalent among individuals who have poor dental hygiene. Chronic periodontitis, or gum disease, can develop as a result of poor oral care

Typically, a foreign object that causes the gingival abscess, such as a popcorn hull or toothbrush bristle, gets trapped in your gums.

How to prevent dental abscesses?

To lower the chance of developing a tooth abscess, you must maintain good dental health and follow proper oral hygiene. Keep your teeth and gums healthy by following these simple steps:

Have your teeth professionally cleaned and checked at least twice a year.

Take two minutes to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice per day.

Maintain healthy gums and teeth by flossing daily.

If you have a loose or cracked tooth, contact your dentist as soon as possible.

Sugary foods and drinks should be avoided as they can cause cavities.Brush your teeth after eating sugary foods.

Reduce the number of snacks you eat in between meals.

When should you visit the dentist if you have a dental abscess?

It will benefit you if you visit your dentist right away once you detect any symptoms or indicators of a tooth abscess.

If you have a fever and swelling in your face but can’t contact your dentist, seek assistance at the hospital’s emergency room. If you’re having trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency department. The discomfort associated with these signs might indicate that the bacterial infection has advanced deeper into your jaw and surrounding tissue, as well as other areas of your body.

At times, the dentist may make a surgical incision to perform a drainage procedure to remove the pus. People who have a periapical abscess and recurrent infections may require surgical treatment to remove the diseased tissue. However, if a dental abscess recurs even after treatment options, the tooth may be removed.

How long can a tooth infection go untreated?

It’s essential to take care of your body because you never know when an infection will start. If you have an infection in your body, it can be a threat. If they’re left untreated for too long, it could last several months or years.

The patient may postpone treatment since the discomfort is manageable when they have a chronically abscessed tooth. However, by the time the patient sees the dentist, the spread of infection is beyond their teeth and requires the extraction of the afflicted tooth to cure it.

Antibiotic therapy can be used to prevent infection from spreading and, in combination with painkillers, may be taken. Antibiotics should not be thought of as a substitute for dental care or a method to defer treatment.

In certain circumstances, it can even result in sepsis. It is a severe infection-related illness that can be fatal. Therefore, it is essential to visit the dentist as soon as you have symptoms of soft tissue infection.