Tooth Infection

Things You May Want to Know

A painful infection at the root of a tooth or between a gum and a tooth is called a tooth infection. It occurs when bacteria enter the dental pulp through a dental cavity, chip or crack in the tooth. The bacterial infection results in swelling of gums and the formation of pus and if left unattended, the infection can spread from the tooth root to different parts of the body.

What Are The Symptoms?

The most common symptom is severe throbbing pain or shooting pain. Other symptoms may include fever, redness and swelling of gums, bitter taste in the mouth, teeth sensitivity to hot or cold and general discomfort and uneasiness. Due to infection, the root of the tooth dies, which may not be painful at all, but this doesn’t mean that the infection has stopped. In fact, it remains active and continues to spread to the other parts of the body. If you observe any of the above mentioned symptoms,

you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

How It Is Diagnosed?

The dentist will probe your teeth with a dental instrument and if the tooth is infected you will feel the pain. Your dentist may take X-rays to find out the extent of infection.

What Are The Ways To Treat It?

Dentists always look for the ways to preserve the tooth and prevent further complications. Root canal surgery is done to eliminate the infection by draining it. The draining can be done through the socket too, which is achieved by tooth extraction. It can also be removed by incision into the swollen gum tissue. To relieve the pain and fight the infection, antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen are prescribed.

Tooth infection can be avoided if good oral hygiene is followed. You should brush and floss your teeth twice a day and use a good antibacterial mouthwash to prevent abscessed tooth.

Contact Us

Address: 4/307 Pitt Street

Sydney, NSW, 2000

Website: http://www.emergencydentistsydneycity.com.au/

Phone: 92837220