A dental abscess is an infection that occurs in the mouth when bacteria enters a tooth, causing pain and swelling. While it can be uncomfortable and even painful, there are some important things to know about caring for a dental abscess.
Knowing the do’s and don’ts of abscess care can help keep the infection from getting worse and ensure you get the proper treatment as quickly as possible.
Do Visit Your Dentist Immediately
If you think you might have a dental abscess, it’s important to visit your dentist right away. If left untreated, a dental abscess can cause serious health issues, such as:
- Tooth loss.
- Bone loss.
- Spread of infection to other parts of the body.
Your dentist will be able to diagnose whether or not you have an abscess, what type of treatment is necessary, and how long it will take to heal.
Ignoring your symptoms could make your condition worse, so make sure to contact your dentist if you think you have an abscess.
Don’t Take Painkillers Unless Prescribed by Your Doctor
While it may be tempting to take over-the-counter pain medications to reduce discomfort caused by an abscess, they are not always recommended. Painkillers can mask the symptoms of an infection and delay diagnosis or appropriate treatment timeframes.
Instead, speak with your doctor before taking any medication and follow their instructions closely. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics or other forms of medication for symptom relief.
Don’t Smoke or Eat Crunchy Foods
If you have a dental abscess, it is important not to smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products. Smoking will irritate the gums and delay healing. It can also increase your risk of developing another infection.
You should also avoid eating hard or crunchy foods as this can irritate the gums and delay healing. If you must eat these types of foods, be sure to cut them into small pieces and chew slowly and carefully.
Do Follow Post-Treatment Instructions Carefully
Once your dental abscess has been treated, it’s important to follow all post-treatment instructions carefully to avoid further complications or infections down the road. This may include taking antibiotics as prescribed, abstaining from certain foods or activities during recovery, brushing gently with toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, avoiding smoking during healing time frames, etc. Following these instructions closely will help ensure that your recovery process goes smoothly and that your oral health remains intact in the long run.
Conclusion:
Caring for a dental abscess doesn’t have to be complicated—as long as you know what steps to take (and which ones not to take).
Visiting your dentist immediately upon noticing symptoms is key; ignoring them could lead to more serious issues down the line and delay recovery timeframes significantly. Additionally, following post-treatment instructions carefully will help ensure that further complications don’t arise during healing periods. By knowing these do’s and don’ts of dental abscess care now, you’ll be better prepared if ever faced with this uncomfortable condition in the future!
If you have a tooth abscess, get in touch with Life Dentistry immediately! Call us at 780-758-5433 or book an appointment here.
