Fighting oral bacteria is a constant battle you face in your life, as the microorganisms will produce acid to attack your teeth and then cause tooth decay. Unless your teeth’s enamel is strong enough to prevent this. If tooth decay does begin and a cavity is created, it will continue until we fill the tooth, because your teeth are incapable of repairing themselves. If the decay is never stopped, a tooth abscess can form, which can cause more problems for your oral health.
What is a Tooth Abscess?
When decay reaches the roots, it can cause an abscess. This is a pocket of pus collected in the interior of the tooth, near the roots. The infection can spread to your jawbone and gums if it is not stopped, or the abscess erupts. Abscessed teeth have many symptoms, including extreme sensitivity/pain in the tooth, fever, and swelling in the soft tissues around the tooth. If you experience symptoms of an abscess, call us immediately to schedule an appointment.
How Do You Treat an Abscessed Tooth?
To properly treat a tooth abscess, we have to remove all of the infected material. The dentist can perform a root canal treatment and prescribe antibiotics if the infection has not spread too far. Unfortunately, if it has, then a tooth extraction may be necessary.
How Can You Prevent an Abscess?
To protect your mouth from extreme tooth decay, make sure to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss once; for added protection, you can brush and floss after your meals. Attend your regularly scheduled checkup and cleaning appointments so that we can monitor your teeth for decay and other issues.
ABOUT YOUR NORTH RICHLAND HILLS FAMILY DENTIST:
With over 25 years of professional experience, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler and his caring team proudly provide exceptional preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatment to patients and their families across Dallas/Ft. Worth, including North Richland Hills, Denton, the Mid-cities, Southlake, and all surrounding communities. We also have extensive experience helping patients find relief from painful TMJ disorders (various forms of jaw dysfunction). To schedule an appointment with Dr. Huffstutler, contact our office today by calling 817-918-3038.