TOOTH INFECTION: TREATMENTS AND SOLUTIONS
When a person has a toothache it can be due to many reasons. The most common is that there has been an infection or eruption of wisdom teeth. We are going to focus in this blog on the case of an infected tooth, the symptoms and possible treatments.
Why does tooth infection occur?
The infection of a tooth is caused by the arrival of bacteria to the area. These are the different causes:
Trauma:
When a tooth or molar receives a blow it can chip or generate a fissure through which bacteria can enter. That is why it is so important to go to a professional when you suffer a blow to the teeth to seal the area well and avoid possible infections.
Caries:
Caries is one of the most common infections in teeth caused by bacteria. If it is not treated in time, the infection continues to advance and can reach the pulp, which is the innermost part of the tooth. In case of nerve destruction, the dentist will have to perform an endodontic treatment and not a normal dental filling to restore the health of the tooth.
Periodontal diseases:
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that, if not treated in time, can lead to periodontitis, a more serious condition whose treatment is much more complex. If periodontitis progresses unchecked, periodontal deposits are formed with bacteria that can lead to the destruction of the jawbone and the loss of teeth.
Mouth sores:
Many people have the habit of chewing on pens or using chopsticks to remove food debris. These bad habits can lead to small wounds that can open the door for bacteria to enter.
Tooth infection: symptoms:
The main symptom of a tooth infection is inflammation and accumulation of pus in the affected tooth in the form of an abscess. The patient presents intense and persistent pain and, in certain cases, there may also be bleeding gums, fever, pain when chewing, sore throat, ear pain, bad breath, bitter taste in the mouth, swollen cheek, swollen glands or dental sensitivity to heat and cold, among others.
Treatment: How to cure tooth infection?
Depending on the origin of the infection, the professional will apply one treatment or another. In any case, the first thing to do is to control the infection and reduce pain so that there are no complications. Antibiotics for tooth infection are one of the most commonly used drugs, but always follow the dentist's instructions and never self-medicate.
The dentist may also prescribe analgesics or mouthwashes to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area. Once the infection has been controlled, it is essential to try to preserve the tooth. If the infection has not affected the dental pulp, a normal filling would be enough, however, if the dental pulp has been damaged the professional should perform a root canal treatment, also called endodontics. The last resort would be extraction, but only if it is impossible to apply a conservative procedure with the piece.
In the case of infected wisdom teeth, extraction is usually the solution, as these teeth do not have any relevant function in the mouth.
Many people resort to home remedies to reduce tooth infection, such as taking aspirin, applying cloves, tea or baking soda. And, although some of these remedies may relieve the pain momentarily, in no case serve to eliminate the infection. Treatment by a dentist is essential to achieve this.
Complications of an infected tooth
If the appropriate treatment is not carried out in each case, the patient is running a series of important risks for his or her oral health. These are the main consequences of an infected tooth that is not treated in time:
Bacterial endocarditis
This is a pathology of the heart caused by inflammation of the endocardium. This happens because the bacteria from the infected tooth reach the bloodstream and then the heart, so the danger of not treating a tooth can be very great. Fortunately it occurs in very few cases.
Tooth loss
In the most serious cases, when the bacteria reach the gums and the jawbone that supports the tooth, the destruction causes the teeth to lose the necessary support and they end up being extracted. In these cases, in order to replace the lost tooth, the dental implant is the most recommended treatment, since the patient can recover all the functions of the tooth in a short time.
As we see, an infected tooth should be treated as soon as possible, so from Nakeji Dental we recommend going to your trusted clinic at the slightest symptom. This minimizes the risk and corrects the problem with simpler procedures. Make an appointment with us to be sure. You are in the best hands, we are waiting for you!
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