An abscessed tooth is usually a collective term that is always used to describe the root infection of a tooth or in between your gums and the tooth.
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What Causes Tooth Abscesses?
It is always caused by the bacteria entering the tooth of an individual through either a crack, dental cavity or chip and extends all over down to the tip of the root.This results to painful, inflammation and pouches of pus. However, an abscessed tooth is majorly caused by gingivitis.
On top of that, poor dental cleanliness and food substance with high sugar content, carbohydrates or sticky food substances increase your chances of being affected by this problem resulting to severe tooth deterioration gum infection.
A sharp and burning toothache is a major symptom of this tooth infection. Further signs and symptoms are:
- pain when munching food,
- sudden change in flavor senses,
- increased sensitivity to cold or hot food and drinks,
- swelling in the cheeks,
- bad breath,
- red and painful gums,
- troubles in swallowing food,
- troubles when opening your mouth,
- fever,
- inflamed lymph nodes around your jaw and general discomfort.
If the situation is not responded immediately, the infection may continue spreading to the bone supporting your tooth and therefore may lead to severe dangerous complications. Even when the abscess ceases and there is a great reduction in pain, you still have to go for dental treatment.
Usually at times, the pulp found in the root of the affected tooth dies as a result of abscess infection, which therefore results in pain reduction. This, however, doesn’t mean that abscess infection has completely healed as it can still continue spreading thus destroying the tissues.
As for additional treatment, you can try to use some natural home antibiotics to assist in fighting the infection and lighten the symptoms. If you observe the signs of such infections, make an effort consult a dentist immediately simply because it won’t get well if you will not go for further treatment.
Symptoms of Tooth Infection
1. The tooth turns to be dark in color as compared to rest of the surrounding teeth. The side effects of the necrotic pulp leaching into the fragmented tooth layer results to this change in color. However, in many instances there are is no pain experiences.
2. The infected person experiences pain when eating or when holding on his or her tooth. The gum abscess spreading towards the root tip therefore affecting the supporting structures. At times the aching or pulsating sore is very severe that it won’t be relieved by use of pain medications only.
This is in as much related to the abscess tooth illness spreading and as a result causing more pressure on surrounding structures of the bones and gum.
3. There is inflammation and/or a spot on the gum filled with lots of pus. This spot is known as “draining fistula” and most often can burst to discharge pus. This is a clear sign of abscess tooth infection. Other symptoms of this infection include bad smell in the mouth.
4. A swollen cheek or jaw usually indicates a growing infection. Pain in jaws from the swelling can be another sign as well.
It is very important to have in mind that abscessed tooth may not show some symptoms at all simply because the tooth may lose its vitality therefore no pain will be accompanied with the infection.
Though the abscess still exists and may perhaps continue spreading its infection. For clear signs and symptoms, an abscessed tooth is perceived during a regular radio graphic examination where the infected person has not yet experienced any significant symptoms of abscessed tooth.
10 Best Home Remedies to Treat Tooth Abscesses
Here are some of the best home remedies for abscessed tooth.
1. Garlic
Garlic has a natural anti-inflammatory antibiotic property that makes it very effective and the best choice for treating an abscessed tooth.
It helps in relieving pain and preventing the spread of abscessed tooth infection. Just place a fresh garlic portion into your mouth and chew it using your teeth. Grind it till the pain reduces. Spit it out and wash your mouth using warm water. To lessen the residual smell, you can add some drops of clove oil to the water you will use to rinse your mouth.
Another technique is to mix half teaspoon of garlic powder with a bit of salt and start applying it directly on the infected tooth. Relax for approximately 10 minutes, then clean your mouth using mouthwash.
You can again apply garlic oil on the infected tooth.
Redo any of these process for about three or four times a day for about few weeks.
2. Oil Pulling
This is an ancient Ayurvedic practice, oil pulling can also be used when treating painful gums or an abscessed tooth. This old age practice helps to reduce the volume of bacteria found in the mouth. It assists the whole body to promote both teeth, gums and overall health.
1. Place one tablespoon of virgin coconut oil into your mouth.
2. Rustle the oil in your mouth for approximately 15 minutes but don’t swallow it.
3. Then spit it out and wash your mouth after 15 minutes. Rinse your mouth by use of warm water.
4. Redo the process twice every day for about one month for better results.
Practice this on empty stomach and wait for positive results:
3. Clove
This is one of the suitable remedies for any type of dental carriers, including abscessed tooth. It features antiseptic, antibacterial and analgesic properties which helps in alleviating toothache, pain and inflammation in the gums.
Place a cotton ball inside the clove oil then hold it on the sore area for some minutes.
Another technique is to put a whole clove in between the affected tooth and the cheek. Crush it as much as possible to obtain its juice. Let the juice remain inside your mouth for a period of not less than 30 minutes before you wash your mouth using warm water.
4. Black Tea Bag
A black tea bag can be another beneficial home remedy for people affected by abscessed tooth. It features tannins which helps in reducing inflammation and pain. On top of that, it contains antioxidants which helps in fighting infection therefore promoting good oral health.
1. Soak the black tea bag using warm water for some minutes.
2. Draw it out of water, wring it and place the tea bag on top of the affected tooth.
3. Let it stay there for some hours or overnight.
4. Wash your mouth using a warm water mixed with salt-solution.
5. Repeat the process once every day for some weeks.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
This chemical has antibacterial and disinfectant properties which helps in killing the bacteria that results to an abscessed tooth.
It also helps. Besides, it whitens the yellow teeth. For an oral health, apply food grade, three percent of hydrogen peroxide solution to reduce pain and inflammation.
1. Mix 2 tea spoonful hydrogen peroxide with 1 table spoonful of warm water.
2. Apply this solution to wash your mouth and spittle it out completely. Stick to this remedy for 3 times every week.
3. Mix 1 tea spoonful baking soda with adequate hydrogen peroxide approximately half tea spoonful to come up with a paste.
4. Pour this paste on the infected area for some minutes before rinsing your mouth completely with warm water. Stick on this process for a few times every week.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
This is another applicable home remedy for individuals with abscessed tooth. It has disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties which helps in reducing soreness and inflammation as you disinfect the infected tooth.
1. Squeeze 1 tablespoon of unfiltered and uncooked apple cider vinegar inside your mouth for some minutes.
2. Splutter it out completely and make sure you don’t swallow it.
3. Wash your mouth using warm water.
Practice this procedure few times a day.
Another method is to blend 1 tea spoonful of unfiltered, raw apple cider vinegar with a glass of water then drink it twice every day.
7. Salt Water
Salt water has antibacterial and antiseptic properties which can help in reducing inflammation, reducing pain, eliminating any infection and most of all preventing the manifestation of bacteria inside your mouth.
1. Place 1 tea spoonful of salt to a glass containing lukewarm water. Stir it until the salt is no more.
2. Wash your mouth using this solution.
3. Repeat the procedure 2 or 3 times every day to remove the infection and lessen discomfort and pain.
8. Turmeric
Turmeric is a perfect antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic property, it can aid in reducing pain and inflammation triggered by the abscessed tooth. It also has an added advantage of promoting good oral health.
1. Stir 1 tea spoonful of turmeric powder with some water to prepare a paste.
2. After you’ve brushed your teeth, spread the paste exactly on the infected area.
3. Allow it to stay for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it with warm water.
Beside, you can mix 1 tea spoonful salt and half teaspoon turmeric powder onto a glass of somehow warm water. Use the solution to wash your mouth for some time every day.
The other method is to mix a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder together with 1 teaspoon mustard or olive oil. Pour this mixture onto the infected area. Let it sit for approximately 15 minutes before you start rinsing your mouth using warm water.
Practice any of these methods for few times every day.
9. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is rich in antioxidant and antibacterial properties, making it the absolute remedy for abscessed tooth. It also has an added advantage of boosting immunity and assists the body in fighting tooth infections and catalyze the healing process.
1. Apply some drops of oregano oil exactly on the infected tooth and gums then leave it for approximately 15 minutes.
2. Prepare some mouthwash by blending 3 to 5 drops oregano oil with a quarter cup of warm water solution.
3. Place this solution inside your mouth for approximately 10 minutes, then splatter it out completely.
Practice one of these techniques for 3 or 4 times every day.
10. Peppermint
Peppermint does great when it comes to pain reduction of an abscessed tooth. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which helps in reducing inflammation and preventing the spread of such infections.
1. Apply some drops of peppermint oil onto the infected part using your fingers for a few minutes.
2. Again, obtain the fresh peppermint juice found in the leaves then followed by applying it on the infected tooth.
Stick to one of these methods for a couple of times every day.
Additional tips on how to get rid of tooth abscess.
1. Apply some cold compress on the cheek close to the affected tooth for some minutes to endure the pain relief.
2. Drink half glass of wheatgrass solution daily onto an empty stomach for better alleviation of abscessed tooth discomforts.
3. Brush and rinse your teeth two times every day.
4. Always apply toothpaste with fluoride substance to reduce the chances of emerging an abscessed tooth.
5. Apply antimicrobial mouthwash when rinsing your mouth to prevent further infections.
6. To make sure you clean your teeth well, change your toothbrush after every two to three months.
7. Quit smoking and stop using tobacco.
8. Stop chewing excess gum.
9. Limit your consumption of food substance rich in sugar and always rinse your mouth well after eating sugary food substances.
10. When experiencing a tooth sore or infection, reduce your caffeine intake.
11. Strictly stick to a healthy diet.
12. Make a regular visit your dentist for professional cleanings and checkups.
It is very important to have in mind that abscessed tooth may not show some symptoms at all simply because the tooth may lose its vitality therefore no pain will be accompanied with the infection. Though the abscess still exists and may perhaps continue spreading its infection.
For clear signs and symptoms, an abscessed tooth is perceived during a regular radio graphic examination where the infected person has not yet experienced any significant symptoms of abscessed tooth.
Conclusion
Tooth abscess is a rising oral disorder affecting all people from children to adults, males to females and has led to pain and discomforts among the infected people. However, this infection can be prevented.
Strictly sticking to better oral hygiene activities will reduce the risk of being affected by tooth abscess. If your teeth experience abscess tooth and gum infections, take an immediate action of seeking prompt dental attention.