An infected tooth is one that has been afflicted with severe tooth decay or subjected to serious trauma. These instances lead to the development of pus or abscess via the pulp, that middle portion of a tooth that serves as its portal for nutrition. Find out how this can be treated and, if at all possible, eliminated.
• Medications.
At the earliest signs of infection, it would be best to seek the opinion of the dental health expert. However, if time doesn’t permit, one can resort to antibiotics to help combat the underlying infection. Pain relievers may also be taken to alleviate any discomfort brought about by the infected tooth. However, do not rely too much on self medication. Consult with your dental specialist at the soonest possible time.
• Drainage.
This could be done by making a small incision along the gums. By doing so, pressure from the inside is released, thereby releasing a purulent discharge as well. An infected tooth with an obvious gum manifestation such as a fluid filled bulge may be treated with this option. There are other cases of infected tooth that does not exhibit any gum signs. In this case, a root canal treatment may be necessary.
• Extraction.
A severely decayed infected tooth may just be extracted if there seems to be no other means that could save it.
• Root canal.
As stated above, an infected tooth without any signs on the outside might necessitate root canal therapy. The pulp shall be removed as this is where the infection has settled. The empty canal is then irrigated with draining and disinfecting solutions to eliminate any trace of infection. The resultant hollow space will then be filled with non-soluble material. The idea is to seal the canal and prevent any infection from developing by eliminating seepage through the root apex portal.
• Routine checkups.
Follow-ups are just as important as any of the above mentioned procedures. Just because the infected tooth has subsided with medications or has been treated accordingly does not mean that one has to be complacent. The dental care expert should see the condition of their patient’s dentition at least every six months to ensure optimum oral health.
Extraction is not a guarantee that infection will never knock on those enamels again. An infected tooth may have been removed, but tooth decay in other teeth that are still present may still progress and call in the bacterial army once again.
Dental infection is in fact one easy condition to treat once prompt attention is given. It only becomes hard which could even border on irreversible if an infected tooth is left untreated for the longest time, leaving no room for any other treatment but extraction.
It is for this reason that it is very important to stress the significance of proper oral hygiene early on. Prevention is key in attaining a healthy oral environment. Just by observing the easy drills of brushing, flossing and rinsing, an infected tooth would not even come to existence.
And as an adjunct to dental health, eat healthy and nutritious food. Food rich in calcium and other vitamins and minerals necessary for proper tissue healing will certainly facilitate a shorter healing period for an infected tooth undergoing treatment.
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