Dr. Elizabeth Duling is a general dentist in Owen’s Cross Roads, AL. She has experience treating patients with tooth pain and discomfort. Tooth infections are among the most common dental concerns we treat at our office. Our local dentist offers several treatment options to help get rid of the infection and restore oral health.
Tooth decay is a highly damaging dental problem. At first, a dental infection can begin with occasional tooth pain. However, a tooth infection can break down your natural teeth over time. Tooth decay creates holes in the teeth, wears down the teeth, and can ultimately lead to permanent tooth loss.
How Do Teeth Get Infected?
Your mouth contains bacteria that help keep your mouth healthy. However, leftover food in the mouth can attract bad bacteria that create dental infections.
A tooth infection begins when harmful bacteria feed on sugars and starches left in the mouth. As these bacteria feed on leftover debris in the mouth, their digestive acids break down the teeth. The acids wear down the tooth enamel, or outer tooth layer. Over time, this creates cavities or holes in the teeth.
When your infection reaches the inside of the tooth or tooth chamber, it affects the dental pulp. The pulp comprises vessels, cells, and blood vessels that keep teeth alive. Without professional treatment, you can lose permanent teeth to tooth decay.
How Do I Know I Have a Tooth Infection?
You may not have a dental infection if you have mild tooth pain. Brushing too hard or accidentally hitting your tooth can cause tooth pain. 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:
- Constant, extreme pain 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
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
When you notice a change in your oral health, contact our office. Early intervention can prevent the need for more invasive dental treatments.
What is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that can form if you develop a tooth infection. This pocket forms on the outside of the tooth, typically at the tooth roots or in the gums. Signs that you have a tooth abscess include fever, severe tooth pain, and swelling in your face or neck.
An abscess can spread to the sinuses and other areas of the face. If the pocket of pus bursts, it feels like a rush of salty fluid in your mouth. While this can relieve your pain, it doesn’t mean you don’t have an infection. You still need professional dental treatment.
We can drain a dental abscess in our office by making a small incision. If needed, we can also provide a root canal or extraction. If the abscess bursts, we can still drain it. We will also recommend warm water rinses to clean the mouth.
When Should I Visit My Dentist?
If you experience symptoms of a dental infection, call our dentist as soon as possible. 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. 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, or have issues swallowing or breathing, we encourage you to go to an emergency room. This may indicate that your infection has spread and you will need medical help immediately. We recommend visiting a hospital when you cannot reach our office and have a dental emergency.
Treatment for a Tooth Infection in Owens Cross Roads, AL
The type of treatment you need will depend on the severity of your tooth function. Dr. Duling will examine your tooth to determine the best course of action. You may require antibiotics to recover from the infection entirely. Antibiotics help fight harmful bacteria after professional treatment in our office.
Root Canal Procedure
A root canal procedure is the best treatment to eliminate the infection and save the natural tooth. Our dentist will drill a small hole in the tooth and remove all the infected tissue. She will also drain the abscess. Then, Dr. Duling will clean out the tooth chamber and fill the root canal and chamber.
Dr. Duling often suggests a dental crown to protect and strengthen the tooth. Crowns are tooth-colored caps that fully cover single teeth.
Tooth Extractions
We make every effort to preserve your natural tooth. However, a dentist may need to remove it in severe cases. Tooth extraction is necessary when you have a severe infection, and our dentist feels she cannot save the tooth. Dr. Duling may recommend a dental extraction if not enough of your tooth structure is left.
If you have an infected tooth, Dr. Duling will remove it. She can also drain an abscess if needed. Then, she will thoroughly clean the area and discuss your options for replacing the tooth.
Dental implants are the premier tooth replacement for one or more missing teeth. If we remove one tooth, we will recommend a single crown-capped implant. If you have consecutive missing teeth, we may recommend a bridge. Dentures secured by dental implants can also restore full arches of missing teeth.
Tooth Infection FAQs
Tooth infections can get serious very quickly. They’re never something you should ignore. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Will a tooth infection go away on its own?
No, a tooth infection can’t heal naturally. This is why you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. The longer you have the infection, the more likely the infection is to spread to other parts of your body. You’re also more likely to face complications that’ll cause you to lose your tooth completely.
Should I still brush my teeth with a tooth infection?
Yes, you should still perform your oral healthcare routine. However, you must exercise caution when brushing and flossing around the infected tooth. Brushing or flossing too hard can cause more pain and further irritate the area. You want to ensure you aren’t gathering further oral health problems throughout the rest of your smile.
What should you avoid with a tooth infection?
Avoid drinks that are either very hot or very cold. They increase your pain, as the infected tooth is susceptible to drastic temperature changes. Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the side of the mouth with the infection. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and avoid flossing directly around the infected area.
Can you get sepsis from a tooth infection?
Yes, a tooth infection can make you septic. If you let the infection go for weeks or months, the bacteria can spread throughout your bloodstream to other parts of your body. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can cause other serious health problems.
How should I sleep with an infected tooth?
Tooth pain can make it difficult to get a good night’s rest. When you sleep, avoid sleeping on the side with the infected tooth, though this can be hard to do if it’s the side you normally sleep on. It’s beneficial to sleep on your side, otherwise. You should also elevate your upper body to reduce the blood flow to the affected area and reduce the pressure and pain in your mouth.
How can I calm down my infected tooth?
Take over-the-counter pain relievers until we can see you in the office. A cold compress also helps with inflammation and pain. Hold the cold compress to the impacted area in 15-minute increments. The cold helps to soothe the inflamed area.
Call Today to Book Your Appointment
Tooth pain is not normal. 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. Our office welcomes you to ask questions about your symptoms and treatment options.