If you’re dealing with a tooth abscess in Bismarck, then yes, you have a dental emergency on your hands. Call an emergency dentist in Bismarck as soon as possible to get it treated.
An abscess can be painful and dangerous to experience. Keep reading to learn more about what an abscess is and why you need emergency treatment for it.
What Is a Tooth Abscess?
A tooth abscess is a pocket filled with pus and is usually caused by a tooth infection. The abscess can form inside the tooth, or you may even spot it on the gums, somewhere above or below the tooth. It will look almost like a pimple.
It usually forms because of prolonged tooth decay, which allows harmful bacteria to attack the tooth pulp, multiply, and eventually even spread to other tissues of the body, like your gums or jawbone.
By this point, you may also experience the following symptoms:
- High levels of pain
- Swelling
- Tooth discoloration
- Sharp pain when you eat and apply pressure to the tooth.
- Sensitivity to heat and cold, etc.
Why Is a Tooth Abscess an Emergency?
A tooth abscess or an infection in general can spread to other tissues of the body and lead to complications.
Left unchecked, the tooth infection can also lead to permanent tooth loss as the tooth becomes too weak. It can even lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
How Does an Emergency Dentist Treat a Tooth Abscess?
Your exact treatment will depend on several factors, such as how severe the infection is or the location of the abscess.
Here are a few possible ways an emergency dentist may treat an abscess:
- Draining: The dentist will make a small incision to drain the bacteria-filled pus and then disinfect the area;
- Root canal: This treatment removes all the infected tissue from inside the tooth, including from the root’s narrow chambers;
- Antibiotics: In some cases, you’ll need to take antibiotics for a few days before the dentist can treat the abscess. If the infection is large, there will be high levels of inflammation, which prevents the local anesthetic from taking effect.
- Extraction: As a last resort, the infected tooth may need to be removed. This is usually the case when the infection has damaged too many teeth. After your extraction, you may opt for tooth replacement procedures like dental bridges or implants.
Emergency Care at 701 Dental
If you have a tooth abscess or are dealing with any other type of dental emergency, Dr. Carlson can see you as soon as possible and help you restore your oral health.
Call our team at (701) 255-0586 today for a same-day appointment and some advice on how to handle your situation until you come into our practice.
Need a regular visit instead? Then use this form to request a visit to 701 Dental.
