How to Cope With a Tooth Abscess

An abscessed tooth is never an enjoyable thing to have. An abscessed tooth is an infection between the tooth and gum or in the tooth's root, and can be excruciatingly painful. If left untreated, the infection can spread from the tooth to the bone that supports the tooth. Here is how to cope with this uncomfortable problem.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Recognize the symptoms of a possible abscessed tooth. Symptoms can include fever, painful chewing, sensitive teeth, a bitter taste in your mouth, foul-smelling breath, swelling of the neck glands, swelling of the jaw, swelling and redness of the gums or an open sore on the gums.

2. Visit your dentist. Your dentist can properly diagnose an abscessed tooth and help create a treatment plan. Your dentist can also take X-rays to check for erosion of your bone structure in the abscess area.

3. Take an anti-inflammatory medication to help with the pain, swelling and discomfort of the abscessed tooth.

4. Consider a root canal. Your dentist may wish to perform a root canal, which will drain the abscess and also remove any diseased tooth root tissue.

5. Use antibiotics, under your dentist's supervision, to finish off the infection.

Tips & Warnings

• You can reduce the risk of getting an abscessed tooth by forming good oral hygiene habits.
• An abscessed tooth isn't always the result of poor oral hygiene habits. Trauma to a tooth can also create an abscess. If you experience trauma to a tooth, consult with your dentist.

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[Haoie]

on 7/1/2009 It's really annoying, but not so painful for most.