A Tooth Abscess: A Case for the ER or Not?

We all know that a few pains and aches can beat a toothache. While usual cavities can be easy to take care of, you should bear in mind that other, much worse scenarios begin in the mouth and might even end up endangering your life.

So is an abscessed tooth an emergency? A dental abscess is a condition characterized by a buildup of pus in a pocket formed in and/or around a tooth. It stems from a bacterial infection, which causes the body to trigger an inflammatory response in order to hold back the ailment. Unfortunately, a tooth abscess can become extremely painful and result in swelling as the buildup of pus creates pressure in the inflamed tissue. That’s why you should seek professional help from an emergency dentist. 

If you seek help right away, you’ll relieve the pain and prevent large-scale inflammation, which could easily compromise your overall oral and dental health.

Why Does a Tooth Abscess Occur?

The reasons behind the development of a tooth abscess can range between gum disease to bacterial infections. When it comes to bacterial infections, an emergency dentist will classify them as one of two different categories — endodontic and periodontal infections.

Endodontic infections start in the tooth structure and spread to nerves as well as blood vessels. They are usually the result of cracks, large cavities, and trauma. On the other hand, periodontal infections are caused by inflammation that impacts the gums and bone surrounding the tooth, so they often require gum surgery.

If identified on time, a tooth abscess can be dealt with without the need for tooth extraction. In the event of an endodontic infection, a dentist will probably be able to solve the problem through a root canal treatment. However, periodontal infections sometimes call for elaborate gum surgery, which takes more time to heal. Based on the X-ray, your dentist will be able to tell an endodontic from a periodontal infection and recommend the best treatment.

Beyond Enamel: Dangers of Tooth Abscesses

Both endodontic and periodontal infections can develop into a serious health hazard if left untreated. In the beginning, the infection will slowly spread in the form of a swelling (fistula), which can be drained to release the pressure. Usually, fistulas are painless, but they can get worse over time and cause far-reaching health hazards.

If the infection begins to spread inwards, it can contaminate the bloodstream and lead to septicemia, which might require extensive medical help in extreme cases. If the infection affects the soft tissue (meaning the area under the tongue), it could also potentially obstruct the airway, and if it spreads from the upper teeth, it can even get to the brain. In each of these scenarios, failure to seek an emergency dentist’s help may prove lethal.

If you feel sensitivity around a tooth or have identified a fistula at the front or in-between two dental surfaces, you should consult an emergency dentist and get an X-ray without delay. Persistent acute pain and swelling are some of the most common symptoms that point to a potential abscess, so take them seriously and don’t wait too long before you seek professional help.

Abscess S.O.S: Emergency Dental Services

So can urgent care treat tooth abscess? Yes — the dentist there will either treat it themselves or refer you to a specialist. But when is an abscessed tooth an emergency? In short, if it’s causing you pain and discomfort, you should visit your dentist.

Should I Go to the Emergency Room for a Tooth Abscess?

As the exact course of a dental infection development cannot be anticipated, it’s best to treat every tooth abscess as a dental emergency. Even if the swelling isn’t an abscess, you will still need an experienced dentist to check the tooth and determine if there is a need for you to get an X-ray or not. If an urgent procedure is necessary, you should prepare yourself for the surgery and the recovery period in advance.

Upon arriving in the ER, a dental expert will be able to help with a mild abscess. But for severe cases, you should consult an emergency dental clinic instead. After asking you to rate the toothache on an abscessed tooth pain scale (one to ten), an emergency dental care professional will examine the tooth and surrounding tissue and decide whether you need to get an X-ray if they suspect an abscess. Once they have received an X-ray confirmation, they’ll give you a prescription for antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medications to ease the ache, reduce swelling, and prevent infection from spreading further.

In most cases, the treatment will take a few weeks, depending on the tooth abscess urgency. In extreme situations, the process can involve intravenous antibiotics and potentially an incision and drainage procedures. The surgeon will open the swollen area using sterile instruments to remove the pus and relieve the pain and pressure. During the surgery, they will either extract the tooth or (if the tooth can be saved) drain the buildup, eliminate the infected tissue, and safely close and sew together the surrounding tissue and gum flaps.

You should never attempt to drain the dental abscess at home, as it can only make things worse and allow different types of bacteria to infiltrate the wound and complicate the condition further.

A Final Word

Any swelling, pain, or discomfort in the mouth area can be a symptom of a complex underlying condition such as a tooth abscess. Even if you brush your teeth regularly and follow dental health tips to a tee doesn’t mean you are safe from this condition. Since the reasons behind tooth abscesses have little to do with oral hygiene, you shouldn’t bank on your dental care routine to keep bacterial infections and tooth nerve injuries at bay.

In case you identify any swelling or persistent pain in the gum area, you should consult an emergency dental care specialist as soon as possible because an abscess is always a tooth emergency and should be treated as such. Otherwise, you are at risk of serious health issues and further complications, which may take a lot of time to recover from. In some cases, they may even turn out to be life-threatening. Take your dental health seriously at all times. Your beautiful smile is worth it! 

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