Dental abscesses are localised dental infections that can occur within the teeth, gums or bone that holds your teeth in place. If left untreated, abscesses can lead to serious health complications, including the risk of your infection spreading to other parts of the body. This means that knowing how to get rid of a dental abscess is crucial for both your oral health and overall well-being.
In this blog, we’ll discover how to get rid of a dental abscess while also covering the main causes and symptoms of the bacterial infection, as well as what to do if you believe your condition was caused by dental negligence. If you’ve experienced substandard dental care and it’s led to physical harm, emotional distress or financial losses, The Dental Law Partnership may be able to help you seek justice for your situation.
To find out more about making a claim with us, please contact our expert team on 0800 152 2044. Alternatively, you can start your claim here.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
First things first – it’s important that you understand exactly what a dental abscess is before we start looking at the different types of treatment.
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms due to a bacterial infection. Abscesses can occur in different parts of the tooth or the surrounding structures, with there being three main types of dental abscess:
- Periapical abscesses: Periapical abscesses form at the tip of the tooth’s root – they’re usually caused by untreated tooth decay or trauma.
- Periodontal abscesses: Periodontal abscesses occur in the gums and are often associated with gum disease.
- Gingival abscesses: Gingival abscesses are usually confined to the gum tissue and don’t affect the periodontal ligament or teeth.
Regardless of the type of abscess you have, these are serious conditions that require prompt treatment to prevent further complications. If you suspect you have an abscess, you should contact your dentist immediately to get the issue checked out.
Why Is It So Important to Seek Professional Help for an Abscess?
Like any oral health issue (e.g., root canal treatments or cavity fillings), it’s important to speak to a qualified dentist if you suspect you have an abscess or a dental infection. You should also attend your regular dental check-ups, as they will enable your dentist to detect any oral health conditions as they arise.
If you’ve been attending your check-ups regularly and you suspect that your dentist has failed to diagnose a condition, you may be able to open a failure to diagnose dental negligence case (particularly if this diagnostic failure has led to your health worsening).
Having an abscess at the root of your tooth or gums is a severe dental condition that will usually require immediate action – again, it’s worth remembering that if your dentist fails to treat an abscess appropriately, you may be able to open a failure to treat dental negligence case. Not only does the infection need to be treated promptly, your dentist should also try and save your tooth, which can be difficult in some scenarios (particularly if your abscess has developed on a wisdom tooth and wisdom tooth extraction is required).
How to Get Rid of a Dental Abscess: Your Main Treatment Options
The type of treatment your dentist recommends to get rid of your dental abscess will differ depending on several factors, including the extent of the infection, the location of the abscess and the current state of your oral health. Here are the most common treatment options available to you:
1. Drainage of the Abscess
The first step when treating a dental abscess is usually to drain the pus, which should relieve some of the pressure and pain. Draining an abscess is typically done by making a small incision in the abscess itself.
Once drained, your dentist may also prescribe a course of antibiotics to help clear the infection – you must finish your antibiotic regimen to ensure the infection doesn’t reappear.
2. Root Canal Treatment
The preferred form of treatment for abscesses is often a root canal procedure, which may help to save the tooth and surrounding structures. Your dentist may also recommend having a dental crown placed on the tooth after the root canal work to prevent further damage in the future, although this won’t always be required.
If your abscess has been caused by an infection in the tooth’s pulp, a root canal may be necessary. The procedure involves removing the infected pulp and cleaning the affected area before sealing it to prevent further infection from occurring. It’s also worth pointing out that root canals can be susceptible to further infection, so it’s important to take preventative steps and keep to a strict oral hygiene routine.
3. Tooth Extraction
In cases where the tooth is severely damaged and cannot be saved, tooth extraction may be the best option. After the tooth is removed, your dentist should discuss replacement options with you, such as dental implants or dental bridges.
However, tooth extraction is usually a last resort when there is an abscess on the tooth – if this is the first course of treatment your dentist recommends, you may want to get a second opinion before committing to treatment.
4. A Course of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are often prescribed to help fight bacterial infections, although they cannot be used for viral infections. They’re especially useful if your infection is spreading beyond the teeth to other areas of the mouth or body, as they are able to tackle several infections at once.
However, antibiotics alone are not a cure for a dental abscess and should only be used in conjunction with other treatments.
5. Surgical Intervention
In severe dental abscess cases, surgery may be required to remove infected tissue or address severe complications, such as a quickly spreading infection.
Home Remedies for Temporary Relief
Professional dental treatment is essential for knowing how to get rid of a dental abscess, but there are some home remedies you can try to provide temporary relief until you can see your dentist:
-
- A saltwater rinse: A saltwater rinse has antibacterial properties and can be used in place of mouthwash. You should mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth out several times a day to reduce swelling and remove pus.
- A cold compress: Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek can help reduce your pain and swelling.
- Clove oil: Clove oil is a substance that has natural antibacterial and pain-relieving properties – applying a small amount of clove oil to the affected area may help.
- Garlic: It may sound odd, but garlic has antimicrobial properties that can help fight the signs of infection. You should crush a garlic clove and apply it to the abscess for a few minutes to receive relief from your abscess.
- Use baking soda: Baking soda (sometimes known as bicarbonate of soda) is a form of salt that has natural antiseptic properties. Mixing baking soda and water together and rinsing with the solution can help relieve any pain and discomfort associated with your abscess.
It’s important to remember that these home remedies are not a substitute for professional dental treatment – you should also ensure you don’t attempt any DIY dentistry at home, as this could be highly dangerous. You should always consult your dentist if you suspect you have a dental abscess or another type of dental condition.
What Are the Main Symptoms of a Dental Abscess?
Recognising the main signs of a dental infection or abscess is the first step in addressing the problem. Common abscess symptoms include:
- A severe, throbbing toothache – in some cases, it may radiate to the jaw, neck or ears.
- Sensitivity to hot and/or cold temperatures.
- Swelling in the face, cheek or lymph nodes.
- Fever and a general feeling of malaise.
- Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing (in severe cases).
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you speak to your dentist and seek out dental care immediately. Delaying treatment could lead to the infection spreading, which can be life-threatening in some situations.
The Most Common Causes of a Dental Abscess
Understanding the main causes of a dental abscess may help you to take the appropriate preventive measures, reducing your risk of contracting an infection in the future. The most common causes of mouth abscesses are:
- Poor oral health: Failing to brush and floss your teeth every day can lead to tooth decay and gum disease – both of these health issues can cause abscesses.
- Untreated tooth decay: Untreated tooth decay can penetrate the tooth’s pulp, leading to the spread of infection.
- Gum disease: Advanced gum disease can create pockets of bacteria in the gums, which can cause periodontal abscesses.
- Past dental trauma: Experiencing dental trauma or a dental injury (such as a cracked or chipped tooth) may enable bacteria to enter your tooth and cause an abscess.
- Failed dental work: Undergoing poorly performed dental procedures (for example, failed root canals) can lead to infections forming.
In some cases, dental abscesses can be caused by your dentist – for example, if your dentist has missed an underlying issue like tooth decay or not addressed trauma after prior dental treatment.
If you believe your dental abscess was caused by substandard dental care or the actions of a negligent dentist, you may have a claim for dental negligence. The Dental Law Partnership specialises in helping patients seek compensation for inadequate dental treatment.
How to Prevent Dental Abscesses
Prevention is usually a better option than cure when dealing with dental abscesses. Here, we’ve compiled some of our top tips to help you avoid developing an abscess:
- Maintain a good oral hygiene routine: Maintaining good oral hygiene habits is an essential part of your oral health, including brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily.
- Attend your dental check-ups: Regular check-ups and dental cleanings can help catch and treat any dental issues before they become serious.
- Address any dental issues promptly: You should not ignore toothache or dental injury symptoms – seeking treatment as soon as possible is advised.
- Avoid sugary food and drink: Sugar feeds the bacteria that causes tooth decay, gum disease and dental infections, so limiting sugar may reduce your chance of being diagnosed with these conditions.
- Wear a mouthguard: If you have a tendency to grind your teeth at night or you play contact sports, using a mouthguard can help to protect your teeth from trauma.
Seeking Legal Advice After Dental Negligence
If you believe that your abscess is a result of substandard dental care, you may be entitled to claim compensation. There are many different forms of dental negligence, including:
- If your dentist fails to diagnose or treat a dental issue.
- Improperly performed dental procedures, such as root canals or fillings.
- Delayed treatment that allows your infection to worsen.
At The Dental Law Partnership, we specialise in helping patients who have experienced dental negligence of any kind, aiming to seek compensation for every client that works with us. Our team of expert dental solicitors will work with you to build a strong case before securing the compensation you deserve.
If you believe your dental abscess was either caused or exacerbated by a negligent dentist, we may be able to help you with your claim. We recognise that medical negligence can cause a great deal of physical, emotional and financial damage, which is why we’re so committed to helping our claimants.
We aim to make the claims process as simple and straightforward as possible and our excellent Trustpilot score speaks for itself, showing how skilled our team is.
Winning the Fight Against Dental Negligence
Knowing how to get a dental abscess treated is an essential part of protecting your oral health. It’s important that you receive prompt treatment, as this is key to preventing any further complications from developing. However, if you believe your abscess was caused or worsened by the actions of a negligent dentist, you don’t have to suffer in silence.
The Dental Law Partnership is here to help you sue your dentist, enabling you to seek out the compensation and justice you deserve. If you’ve been a victim of dental negligence within the past three years, we may be able to help you find closure for the suffering you’ve been through.
To find out more about how our claims work, please contact us today or request a callback for a free consultation from our expert team.