How to treat an abscessed tooth

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A tooth abscess is a bacterial infection found in the center of the tooth or the root of the tooth. Symptoms include severe pain, redness and swelling of the gums. Sometimes, the abscess can result in a boil that can be found in the gums. An abscess tooth is a sign of decay. Tooth abscess can be caused by trauma such as a chipped or broken tooth and gingivitis. These can lead to the formation of openings in the tooth enamel where bacteria can enter and infect the center of the tooth which is called the pulp and spread from the root of the tooth to the bones that supports the tooth.

Symptoms of an abscessed tooth

A toothache is the most common symptom of abscess tooth which is severe and described as a continuous throbbing pain or sharp shooting pain. With the help of pain management measures that you can learn in a first aid class, you can help ease the discomfort. There are other symptoms such as the following:

Abscessed tooth
A toothache is the most common symptom of abscess tooth which is severe and described as a continuous throbbing pain or sharp shooting pain.
  • Pain when chewing along with fever
  • The teeth are sensitive to hot and cold
  • A bitter taste in the mouth and a foul smelling breath
  • Swollen neck glands and there is redness and swelling of the gums
  • Generalized discomfort or feeling sick
  • Swelling of either lower or upper jaw
  • An open sore with drainage on the side of the gum

If the root of the tooth dies due to infection, the toothache will stop but the infection is still active and will continue to spread and destroy other tissues, thus it is important to seek medical help even when the pain subsides.

Treatment and home remedies of an abscessed tooth

  • Take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen in order to minimize the pain.
  • Heat peppermint tea to a lukewarm temperature and swish it around the mouth for best results.
  • Gargle with warm salt water or an oral rinse in order to provide a relaxing relief and can also reduce inflammation that causes pain as well as help reduce some of the bacteria that causes the problem.
  • Dab some clove oil directly into the infected tooth for a quick relief from pain.
  • Apply a warm compress to the affected area on the jaw line.

Other remedies

  • Encourage the individual to take a garlic supplement three times a day in order to deal with the infection since garlic possesses natural antibiotic properties.
  • Take one 1000mg capsule of vitamin C three times a day in order to boost the immune system in fighting infection.
  • Create a paste with a mixture of half baking soda and half salt. Dip a wet cotton ball into paste and place it inside the mouth between the tooth and cheek. Keep it in the mouth at least 45 minutes in order to draw out the infection out of the mouth.
  • Sprinkle a dry tea bag with salt and place it inside the mouth close to the infected tooth. Allow it to stay inside the mouth at least 1-2 hours to help in eliminating the infection.
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