How to Determine If a Tooth Is Infected

how to determine if a tooth is infected

Are you experiencing excruciating tooth pain or wondering whether you might have a dental infection? A serious tooth infection could be the reason. A tooth infection is an excruciating ailment that can harm your jaw, teeth, and other oral and facial tissues. On the other hand, certain illnesses resemble tooth infections but aren’t the same. Here’s how to determine if the abscess is growing or if your tooth is infected.

There are tons of nerves in your teeth. Because of this, even though a toothache may just impact one area of your mouth, it is quite painful to examine on your own. So, it is important to reach out to a dentist in SE Calgary.

What is an infected tooth?

A tooth abscess—a pus-filled “pocket” in the tooth—can occasionally result from a dental infection. This may develop in many locations surrounding the tooth. A tiny white or red ball around the gums or teeth is often what an abscess looks like.

How does an infected tooth feel?

An abscess in the tooth hurts. It is always advised that you see a dentist near you before you experience excruciating pain. In this manner, problems are identified while they are still minor and most amenable to treatment.

Symptoms of a tooth infection include:

  • Extreme tooth pain
  • Intolerance for both hot and cold foods
  • Having trouble swallowing
  • When biting down, pain
  • High temperature
  • Painful, swollen lymph nodes in the jaw or neck
  • Swollen cheeks or faces

Do you know any of the symptoms listed above?

Make an appointment with your emergency dentist near you if such is the case. Your health is put at greater risk the longer you choose to neglect an abscessed tooth. Make an emergency appointment right away.

Even if the discomfort goes away, the abscess is still there. Our dentists will need to extract the infected dental pulp, even if you can take care of part of the pain at home. The tooth will then need to be sealed again and have a crown placed over it. Before the illness spreads to your jaw, our dentists will take the tooth if they are unable to save it.

Are tooth infections resolved by themselves?

No, a tooth infection won’t clear itself by itself. Rather, it will continue to worsen until the abscess ruptures.

The signs of a tooth infection should not be disregarded! Give our emergency dentist in SE Calgary a call as soon as you think you may have an abscessed tooth. The greater the chance that we can save your tooth, the sooner you contact us. For instance, a root canal may be necessary to cure a minor abscess, according to our emergency dentists. If not, you’ll require an urgent tooth extraction.

Do you need to make an appointment?

Use over-the-counter painkillers to treat the discomfort until your appointment time. Using a warm or cold compress can also be beneficial if you see any edema. Until you are able to see our office, try consuming meals that are simple to chew, like mashed potatoes. The issue can only be resolved permanently by our dentists.

See your dentist or physician right away if you suspect you have a tooth infection. Untreated dental abscesses can lead to more widespread infections and major issues. An infection becomes more challenging to cure the longer it is left untreated. A root canal treatment may be able to save the tooth in some circumstances. Alternatively, a cavity can be filled or a chipped or broken tooth might be capped in order to preserve the tooth.

Our Nexus Dental root canal dentists have years of experience assisting patients in overcoming tooth infections. Contact our dental clinic to make an appointment.

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