An infected tooth can be very painful, and it can lead to several dental issues and complications. Therefore, you should be aware of an abscessed tooth signs in order to take measures. Here are the most common warning signs of an infected tooth.
Common Warning Symptoms of an Infected Tooth
- A persistent and severe toothache. The pain might even reach your neck, ear and jawbone areas.
- An increased sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures.
- Hypersensitivity to biting, chewing or pressing.
- Other body symptoms such as fever. In fact, every infection your organism suffers from will eventually increase your body’s temperature over the normal limit.
- Swelling in your cheek or face area.
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck or under your jaw.
- A bitter taste in your mouth.
- Foul breath smell.
- Overall ill feeling and general discomfort.
How to Treat an Infected Tooth
There are two main treatments when it comes to an infected tooth: extraction and antibiotics. The abscess might need to be drained to eliminate the infection. The dentist can choose to do the drainage as a root canal therapy or as a socket extraction procedure. The third option is to remove the infection by making a small incision into the damaged gum tissue. If your dentist chooses the first option, through the root canal, he/she will probably cover your natural tooth with a crown as a protective measure.
Usually, dentists prescribe antibiotics to their patients who suffer from an infected tooth. If you want to get rid of the pain or other uncomfortable symptoms, you should try rinsing with salt water or take an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen.
How to Prevent an Infected Tooth
An infected tooth can appear because of plenty of causes like poor oral hygiene, gum disease, gingivitis, bacteria, weak immune system, and more. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent it:
- Develop a proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and take better care of your gums.
- Use dental floss at least once a day but make sure not to press it between your teeth in an aggressive manner.
- Don’t chew a lot of gum.
- Rinse your mouth with anti-microbial mouthwash, which eliminates bacteria and prevents infections.
- Give up on smoking and other bad habits that might damage your teeth. Try to eat less sugar and sweets.
- Eat healthier and develop a more balanced diet. Crunchy vegetables and fruits can really improve your oral health.
- Use the proper toothbrush that matches your type of gums. For example, I use soft brushes because I have sensitive gums.
- Don’t brush your teeth with too much force. Instead, do it in a gentle Otherwise, your gums might start bleeding.
Putting It All Together
All the above warning signs will show you whether you have an infected tooth or not. However, it is best to consult a dentist who will know exactly what kind of treatment to prescribe you. As you can see, you are able to prevent this kind of health issues if you develop a proper oral hygiene and a flossing and brushing routine.
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