Four Ways Emergency Dental Can Help With An Infection
When you have an infection in your mouth, it can be one of the most painful experiences you'll ever have. The pain may be so bad that you don't even want to open your mouth, which means that you may not be able to eat or drink. You might also have problems speaking clearly.
If this sounds like something you've been experiencing, then it's time to see a dentist as soon as possible. Here are four ways that emergency dental care can help with an infection.
1. Prescribe You Antibiotic Treatment
If your infection is caused by bacteria, then the first thing your dentist will do is prescribe antibiotics. The antibiotics will help reduce the swelling and irritation in your mouth while also killing off any bad bacteria that may be causing the problem. Your dentist may also want to send you home with antibiotics as well so that you can continue taking them until the infection goes away completely.
2. Offer Pain Medications
Pain medications are another important part of emergency dental care for infections because they allow you to get through this painful condition without suffering too much pain or discomfort. You might be given prescription painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the infection is not too severe and it won't require surgery or other invasive treatment methods (see below). You will also probably receive some over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or paracetamol for immediate relief from any pain caused by the infection.
3. Treat Abscesses
An abscess is caused by bacteria entering a broken tooth or gum. The bacteria cause an infection that forms a pocket of pus around the tooth or gum tissue. A small amount of swelling may occur as well as pain and toothache when chewing or biting down on something hard. If left untreated, an abscess will result in more serious problems such as bone loss and tooth loss. A dentist can diagnose and treat an abscess by filling the pocket with a small needle or using a laser to kill the bacteria. If your dentist suspects that you have an abscess, it's important to see them as soon as possible so they can determine what treatment is needed.
4. Extract Teeth
A dentist may need to remove any broken or loose teeth if they are contributing to the problem by becoming infected themselves or by causing further damage to other parts of your mouth during an examination or cleaning procedure (such as when removing debris from between teeth).
Infection is a serious health threat that can affect any part of the body. Some infections are mild and easily treatable, while others require emergency treatment. If you have an infection in your mouth or a severe toothache, chat with a member of the team today.
Share