An abscessed tooth is no less than a nightmare. It’s never fun to deal with bacteria. But having an army of bacteria nestled in your gums, creating a home for themselves? No thanks! It’s even worse when your body retaliates, creating a pus-filled pocket instead. This cyst inside your mouth is known as a dental abscess. But does a tooth abscess go away with antibiotics, or does it require serious medical attention? To find out, keep on reading this blog.
What Causes a Tooth Abscess?
A dental abscess is a result of bacterial invasion. It occurs when the harmful bacteria inside your mouth find their way to your tooth, digging their way into the pulp.
An abscessed tooth starts off as plaque, then develops into a cavity. The effects only worsen when necessary precautions aren’t followed. This leads to the bacteria burrowing deep inside your tooth’s roots.
Since the pulp inside your pearly whites directly connects nerves and other connective tissues, an infection can be extremely painful. Essentially, the bacteria finds its way inside your tooth through a chip, crack, or cavity. Poor oral hygiene is the main cause behind it.
Will a Tooth Abscess Go Away With Antibiotics?
Since a tooth abscess comes after a cavity, antibiotics aren’t really going to make that much of a difference. That’s because an abscess is a severe condition. Besides causing throbbing pain, it could find a way to affect your ear, jaw, and even neck. Moreover, when proper care isn’t taken, a dental abscess can further cause extreme swelling in your gums. It can also lead to foul breath and, in some cases, tooth loss.
Antibiotics help with reducing abscess symptoms. At most, antibiotics will keep the abscess from advancing toward other teeth. However, that’s all they do. To wipe away all traces of bacteria, you still need to undergo medical treatment.
How Long Does it Take for a Dental Abscess to Go Away?
Depending on the severity of the dental abscess, the time it takes for it to go away can vary. For instance, minor oral infections usually last for about a week at most; if it takes longer, perhaps it’s time to visit a dentist.
If the situation calls for it, your dentist will suggest pulling out the abscessed tooth altogether. This prevents the infection from spreading and causing further complications. However, if you undergo medical treatment to heal your dental abscess, the healing process may stretch out for months.
How to Treat a Dental Abscess
When it comes to treating dental abscesses, there are quite a few treatment options that work. Although, it’s vital to keep in mind that the dentist is the one who decides which method to go for. Typically, it starts with draining the abscess. Your dentist will let out the pus; then, depending on the damage, you might be scheduled for root canal therapy.
Conclusion
Usually, a tooth abscess will not go away with antibiotics. It requires further, serious medical treatment for it to completely vanish. Nonetheless, if you’re suffering from acute pain due to a dental abscess, contact Pearland Family Dentistry at (832) 649-7344 to schedule an appointment. You can also find our clinic at 8498 S Sam Houston Pkwy E Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77075. We’re located on the right-hand side of Pearland Eye Care.