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Abscess/ Infection
An abscessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or
between the gum and a tooth. It's most commonly caused by
severe tooth decay. Other causes of tooth abscess are trauma to the
tooth, such as when it is broken or chipped, and gingivitis or gum
disease.
Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth?
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Fever
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Pain when chewing
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Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold
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Bitter taste in the mouth
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Foul smell to the breath
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Swollen neck glands
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General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
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Redness and swelling of the gums
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Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw
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An open, draining sore on the side of the gum
Treatment Options
To eliminate infection, the abscess may need to be drained. Achieving drainage may be done through the tooth by a procedure known as root canal therapy. Root surgery may also be recommended to remove any diseased root tissue after the infection has subsided. Then, a crown may be placed over the tooth.
The tooth may also be extracted, allowing drainage through the socket.
Finally, a third way to drain the abscess would be by incision into the swollen gum tissue.
Antibiotics are prescribed to help fight the infection. To relieve the pain and discomfort associated with an abscessed tooth, warm salt-water rinses and over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) can be used.
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