Dental abscess is a fairly common oral disease today, occurring due to many causes, but in general, it is a complication of a number of other diseases such as tooth decay, severe periodontitis, etc. Abscesses can have a huge impact on overall health if not treated promptly. Let’s find out with BIK International Dentistry whether dental abscesses can heal on their own, and if not, what methods will be used to treat them!
1. What is a tooth abscess?
A tooth abscess is a condition in which a tooth is swollen and painful and pus pockets begin to appear at the tooth root. This is an infectious disease that is a complication of tooth decay, periodontitis, or a cracked tooth that causes bacteria to attack and damage the tooth pulp. At that time, pus will accumulate at the base of the jawbone, causing a tooth abscess.
An abscess can form very quickly, possibly just 1 to 2 days after the mouth is infected. This disease can appear in anyone, including children and adults.
2. Reasons for tooth abscess formation
Some of the main causes of tooth abscess can be listed as follows:
– Patients with diseases such as tooth decay, periodontitis, … but do not perform prompt treatment, increasing the risk of tooth abscess.
– The pulp is damaged due to severe tooth cracks, fractures or root canal treatment.
– People who consume too many sweets, carbonated drinks or alcohol.
– Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes that cause a decrease in immunity and bacteria will take the opportunity to attack and form tooth abscesses.
3. Can tooth abscesses heal on their own?
Can gum abscess heal on its own?
Tooth abscess is considered one of the dangerous diseases and seriously affects the overall health as well as the daily life of the patient. Tooth abscess cannot heal on its own, the patient needs to see a doctor for examination and advice on complex treatment options.
Note that this is a technique that requires high skills of the doctor, so you need to choose to treat tooth abscess at reputable dental facilities, with a team of doctors with many years of experience, and at the same time fully equipped with modern technology and machinery to help the treatment process take place faster and safer.
4. How to treat a tooth abscess?
For each different case, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment plan and bring the best results:
Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment can help eliminate the maximum infection while still maintaining absolute aesthetics. To treat the tooth, the doctor will drill a small tube to the tooth pulp and completely remove the infected pulp tissue and the abscess inside. The root canal is then filled and a porcelain crown is placed over it to protect the tooth.
The reason why it is necessary to perform the cosmetic porcelain crown method is because the tooth after the root canal is like losing its “heart”, not being provided with nutrients to survive as strong as usual, so it becomes more sensitive to external influences. Therefore, the porcelain crown will support the chewing process smoothly and without any obstacles.
Using antibiotics
In cases where the infection is limited to the abscess area, antibiotics may not be necessary, but if the infection has spread to the adjacent teeth or other areas, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to prevent the spread. In addition, antibiotics may also be recommended if the patient has a weak immune system.
Tooth extraction at the abscess site
In cases where the abscess is too severe to be treated conservatively, the doctor must extract the tooth at the abscess site. After treating a tooth abscess, you need to pay attention to a full diet, supplementing with plenty of water, vitamins and minerals. In addition, you should not let your mouth dry and limit hard, chewy, hot, cold foods, etc.
5. Preventing tooth abscess
To prevent tooth abscess as well as other oral diseases, you should note the following:
Proper oral hygiene
– Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day, especially after each meal to remove food debris left in the mouth.
– Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months to prevent bacteria from accumulating.
– Combine the use of dental floss or a water flosser to completely remove food debris left between teeth.
– Rinse your mouth with mouthwash to completely remove harmful bacteria in the oral cavity.
Reasonable diet
Using too many foods containing a lot of sugar is one of the main causes of tooth abscesses. Therefore, you should pay attention to limiting foods containing a lot of sugar or starch.
You should supplement all the necessary vitamins and minerals to help your body stay healthy and have good resistance against disease-causing bacteria. In addition, you should stay away from cigarettes, alcohol or other harmful stimulants.
Regular check-ups
Regular check-ups according to your doctor’s appointment to detect oral diseases and promptly treat them if any. Avoid incubation, which can lead to many negative effects on overall health.
So can a tooth abscess heal on its own? The answer is no, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible once you notice signs of a tooth abscess. For the treatment process to be safe and achieve the best results, you should choose to be treated at a reputable dental facility, with a team of highly skilled doctors with many years of experience in the field of dentistry.
