How to Care for an Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is an infection at the base of the root that begins as a cavity or is caused by trauma to the tooth. Symptoms include a painful tooth, or gums that are red or bleeding. An abscess can develop into a serious condition if not treated in its early stages. It can spread to the jaw, face or throat, and has the potential to become a fatal infection.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Visit a dentist as soon as possible to get the infection drained. A root canal allows the infection to drain out through the tooth, which is then covered with a crown. An incision in the gum is another method for draining the abscess.

2. Have the tooth pulled if the other remedies are not effective. The infection will drain through the empty socket.

3. Take antibiotics to fight the abscess infection. Complete the entire course of antibiotics or risk the infection becoming stronger.

4. Relieve pain with ibuprofen or another over-the-counter medication as recommended by your dentist.

5. Rinse your mouth with a mixture of warm water and salt. This mixture can take some of the pain from the abscess as well as keeping the mouth clean.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't think the abscess is cured if the pain stops without treatment and other symptoms continue. If the root dies from the infection, the pain can disappear but the infection will remain active and continue to spread.

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[Haoie]

on 7/1/2009 There's got to be a dentist alternative, sigh.

[peterpan56]

on 11/15/2007 Good basic advice about treating an abscess tooth. To better understand an abscess here is a page with an explanatory picture.

http://health-pictures.com/conditions1/abscess-tooth.htm