An abscessed tooth can really cause a lot of pain!
Do you have a lot of pain in a tooth, but are not sure what the problem might be. It is possible it is an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth occurs when the dental pulp (otherwise known as the root) becomes infected due to an untreated cavity or a cracked tooth.
When the dental pulp becomes infected, the bacteria has the potential to spread deep within the tooth and around the surrounding bone tissue.
The pain and discomfort is undeniable — we can do an exam and tell you what is causing it. If you have an abscessed tooth, you likely are experiencing some swelling around the area, discomfort when chewing, and a throbbing toothache. An abscessed tooth can even cause swollen neck glands, a fever, bad breath, and an unusual bitter taste in your mouth. It’s not uncommon to even see some drainage happening from the swollen gum tissue in this scenario.
Sometimes, the symptoms of an abscessed tooth are so minor that they can go unnoticed unless you are visiting your dentist that specializes in cosmetic dentistry. X-rays can help to confirm any bone loss along the ends of dental roots, which is a clear sign of a tooth abscess.
Root canal therapy is typically the most effective way to treat an abscessed tooth, and choosing a dentist that specializes in this type of procedure can help to make the root canal as easy and painless as possible.
If you want to lower your risk of developing a tooth abscess, be sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular cleanings, and don’t allow cavities to go untreated for too long.
At Padden Dental, we specialize in cosmetic dentistry in Vancouver, WA. Contact us as soon as you suspect that you are dealing with an abscessed tooth.