Dr. Elizabeth Duling is a general dentist in Owen’s Cross Roads, AL. She has a lot of experience treating patients with tooth infections. Tooth infections are one of the dental concerns we treat at our Owen’s Cross Roads, AL, office. Our local dentist office offers several treatment options to help get rid of the infection and help restore oral health.
How do I know if I have a Tooth Infection?
If you have a toothache but it is not bothering you too much, it’s likely that your tooth is not infected. An infection inside your tooth is almost unbearable and hard to dismiss. Some patients may even be unable to lie down or even sleep through the pain and discomfort. The signs and symptoms of a tooth infection include:
- Extreme pain that is constant that may spread to the jaw, neck, and ear
- Pain and sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages
- Unable to bite to chew due to severe pain
- You may develop a fever
- Swelling on the side of the face where the infection is
- Difficulty breathing from swelling
- Foul-smelling breath
- Bad taste in your mouth or rush of salty fluid in your mouth if the abscess bursts
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
When Should I Visit My Dentist?
You should call your dentist as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. Dr. Duling considers a tooth infection a dental emergency and will try to see you as soon as possible. Ideally, we would like to treat you before the infection gets serious. A tooth infection must be treated and will rarely get better on its own. Without treatment, you risk the infection spreading to other parts of your body and causing serious harm, even death.
If you are in extreme pain, have a fever, have issues swallowing or breathing, and cannot get a hold of our office, we encourage you to go to an emergency room. This may indicate that your infection has spread and you will need medical help as soon as possible.
Treatment for a Tooth Infection in Owen’s Cross Roads, AL
The type of treatment you need will depend on how severe the infection is. Dr. Duling will examine your tooth to determine the best course of action. You may need antibiotics to fully recover from the infection.
Tooth Extractions: In the most severe cases, your dentist may need to remove your tooth. A tooth extraction is necessary when the infection is severe and your dentist feels they cannot save the tooth. Dr. Duling will remove the tooth and drain the abscess. Then she will thoroughly clean the area and discuss your options to replace the tooth.
Root Canal Procedure: A root canal procedure is the best treatment to get rid of the infection and save the natural tooth. Your dentist will drill a small hole in the tooth, remove all the infected tissue, and drain the abscess. Then Dr. Duling will clean out the tooth chamber and will fill the root canal and chamber of the tooth. In most cases, she will suggest a dental crown to protect and strengthen the tooth.
Call Today to Book Your Appointment
If you think you are suffering from a tooth infection in Owen’s Cross Roads, AL, call our dental office at 256.202.4186. We will do our best to get you in as soon as possible.