Two mistakes people often make when they develop dental abscesses

People who develop dental abscesses sometimes make certain mistakes after realising that they have this condition. Here are two errors that these individuals make most often.

Not going for a follow-up appointment after the emergency dentist has treated them

When a person suspects that they have an abscess, they will normally seek out an emergency dentist as this condition is one that has to be addressed quickly and most non-emergency dentists are unable to provide treatment at very short notice. When treating abscesses, emergency dentists will take the most critical steps that are necessary to nip the infection in the bud and minimise the damage it does to the patient's gum tissue and tooth structure; this may include piercing and draining the abscess sac, extracting any unsalvageable pulp tissue from the tooth root and prescribing antibiotics.

After getting this emergency treatment, some people don't bother making a follow-up appointment with their usual dentist. This is a mistake that could have some unpleasant consequences. The reason for this is that there is always a reason why a dental abscess occurs, and if a person does not work with their dentist to find out what originally caused their abscess, they may find themselves in the same situation again in the future.

For example, the abscess may have formed as a result of bacteria getting into the tooth via caries in its enamel. If this is the case and the person doesn't get these cavities filled by their dentist, the same type of bacteria that caused the first abscess could take this route into the tooth a second time and another abscess might form in this spot.

Not brushing the teeth near the abscess for several days

The combination of the residual inflammation caused by the abscess and the temporary irritation caused by the treatment of that abscess may result in a person experiencing some soreness in the part of their mouth where this condition occurred. Because of this, some people who get abscesses do not brush this area for several days, until the soreness goes away.

This mistake has the potential to cause other dental problems. It could, for example, cause a second infection to form (as the temporary inflammation of the oral tissues in this spot may make them more susceptible to the effects of pathogenic bacteria) or result in plaque causing significant erosion of the teeth in this area. As such, although it may be slightly painful, people in this situation should continue to gently brush their teeth (using an extra-soft child's toothbrush, if the bristles of their usual toothbrush are too abrasive) whilst their oral tissues heal.

If you suspect you have a dental emergency like an abscess, contact an emergency dentist

About Me

How to Improve Your Dental Health Today

My name is Tod and I love teeth. I am not a dentist but ever since I was a boy, I have been fascinated by what is in my mouth. I remember when I was little, I would spend hours looking into the mirror, trying to see what my teeth looked like. When I was 7-years old, I went to a dental summer camp and learnt even more about how bacteria and acids can cause teeth to decay. In my teens, I was fitted with braces and I learnt lots of cool stuff about brace care. Now, I am grown up, but I still have my childhood passion for dentistry and I look forward to every checkup.

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