Have you noticed an odd bump in your gums? Do you occasionally or persistently feel significant discomfort or pain when biting down? Do you occasionally experience a foul taste or smell in your mouth? You’ve likely developed an abscess in your tooth. An abscess consists of a pocket of infection that typically forms within the roots of our teeth. Without treatment, an abscess can cause significant pain, destroy bone tissue, and result in tooth loss. In the worst cases, it’s even possible for a dental abscess to become life-threatening. When you’re experiencing a dental abscess, you must receive treatment quickly. Here at Dentistry of Miami, we help our patients understand what to do when an abscess bursts before they get treatment and their next steps.
Dental Abscesses: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
The source of an abscess is a bacterial infection within the gums. When oral health isn’t at its peak, we develop concerns such as gum disease and tooth decay. Gum disease can lead to our gums pulling away from our teeth, allowing the bacteria to slip beneath the gum line and into the roots of our teeth. Our body responds to these bacteria by sending white blood cells to counteract the infection. As these cells die defending the body, they become trapped in the pocket within our gums, generating pus. This pus becomes absorbed by your gums, causing that pocket to form into an abscess gradually.
The major reasons for an abscess to form include:
- Poor Dental Hygiene Habits
- Injury or Dental Trauma
- An unhealthy diet high in starches and sugar
- Weakened Immune System
- Wisdom Tooth Impaction
If left untreated, an abscess will often burst on its own. The experience is far from pleasant as it is generally accompanied by an oily, slimy substance erupting into the mouth. This substance is foul in taste and odor and is an unmistakable sign that you’ve had an abscess burst. Your first step when this happens should be to get to an emergency dentist. They’ll clean out the pus, professionally rinse and clean the area, and ensure it won’t spread. If you’re prevented from getting to the dentist right away, you can use your fingers to press out the rest of the pus. Start by washing your hands and gently rubbing the abscessed areas in circles.
Once you’ve cleared the abscess of pus, follow it up with a saltwater rinse and then an antibacterial mouthwash rinse. This last step will help eliminate any remaining bacteria.
Contact Dentistry Of Miami About Your Abscess
If you’re concerned you’re living with an abscess, or have recently had one rupture, call our offices today. We’ll get you in to address the immediate concern and then help you develop a treatment plan to handle the underlying cause. Good dental hygiene may be the foundation of lasting oral health, but seeing your dentist regularly is essential to getting the best results. You can reach us for emergency dentistry by calling (305) 598-2622 today. Making this call will begin your oral health journey with Dentistry of Miami and can be the initial step on your journey to a beautiful, healthy smile.
