St. Paul Dental Care Clinic Explains the Treatment for an Abscessed Tooth

Chalet Dental Care, a dental practice based in St Paul, MN, has released a blog post that explains what is an abscessed tooth and how it is treated. A dental abscess is due to a bacterial infection of the roots of the teeth. The infection can spread if it is not treated for too long. A dental professional will check how far the infected root extends to be able to offer medical advice on what type of treatment will be the best for a particular situation. It is important to note that bacteria on the gingival epithelium will result in a gingival abscess. The bacteria known as Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative oral anaerobe that can cause adult periodontal abscesses.

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that produce acids that demineralize and destroy the hard tissues, such as tooth enamel, dentin, and cementum. The infection can destroy natural teeth, gum tissues, connective tissue, soft tissue, alveolar bone, blood vessels, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and neighboring tissues. Tooth decay that is left untreated can result in tooth loss, pain, and infection. And a tooth abscess occurs when there is a deep cavity or tooth decay, gum disease or periodontal disease, or abscess ruptures. A tooth abscess occurs because the infection destroys and kills the pulp.

There are two common types of a dental abscess, which are the periapical abscess and periodontal abscess. A periapical abscess occurs at the tip of the root of the tooth. In contrast, a periodontal abscess affects the bones next to the teeth. Both kinds of abscesses can occur in the lower or upper jaw regions and it is possible for an individual to get more than one abscess. The abscess can also travel through the jawbone and appear in several areas but the abscess will still be related to only one tooth.

There are a number of symptoms or signs of an abscessed tooth. It could be indicated by sharp, throbbing pain, or extreme pain in the area around the abscessed tooth, although not always. The pain may become more evident when pressure is applied to it. Other signs include fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, trouble breathing or swallowing, gum redness, puffy gums, and a bad odor when chewing with it. One sure sign of an abscessed tooth is when pus oozes out when pressure is applied to the affected tooth.

The diagnosis of an abscessed tooth is done based on the nature of the tooth abscess. In addition to examining the teeth and the surrounding area, the dentist will perform other procedures, including tapping the teeth. This is because an abscessed tooth is sensitive to pressure and touch. An x-ray of the aching teeth may also be done to help in identifying the abscessed tooth. The x-ray will also show whether the infection has already spread to other parts, causing infection of other teeth. And finally, the dentist may recommend a CT scan because if the infection has spread to other areas found in the neck, only a CT scan may show whether it is a serious infection or just a small tooth infection.

The treatment of the abscessed tooth will focus on eliminating the infection and relieving the pain. The dentist will need to fully diagnose the abscessed tooth to be able to prescribe the best medication. One treatment option is to drain the abscess. A small cut is usually made in the abscess to get rid of the pus and the hollow area is then treated with saline solution. Another option is to perform a root canal procedure. This requires drilling into the root of the affected tooth and getting rid of the abscess and any infected pulp. Another option is tooth extraction, which is often resorted to when there is serious tooth damage.

Established in 1984, Chalet Dental Care has been owned and operated by Dr. Brent Fredrickson since 2000. Dr. Fredrickson and his team of experienced dentists specialize in precision cosmetic dentistry and comprehensive dental care. Their gentle dentistry strategy is designed to produce beautiful and healthy smiles for the whole family, in a comfortable and friendly environment. Each patient will get individualized care designed to achieve his or her specific needs and preferences.

When requiring the services of a St. Paul dental clinic, people can check out the Chalet Dental Care website, or contact them through the telephone or via email. They are open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, from Monday to Thursday, and from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm on Fridays.