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Posted on 6/20/2019 by Dr. Michael Allard |
When people feel a pain in a tooth, they usually do a few things. They may try to ignore it and hope it goes away. They may turn to some over the counter remedy to help manage the pain. If that pain is from something minor, these things may work. If that pain has something to do with an abscess, the problems will only get worse. That is why it is best to get help for a dental abscess as soon as you have any signs of a problem.The Progression of an AbscessEveryone is different and a dental abscess will affect everyone differently. While that means there are some people who need help with a dental abscess sooner than some others, that does not take away from the need for anyone to get treatment for the abscess at the earliest stages. In the beginning the symptoms of an abscess may seem minor. Redness around the affected area and a little swelling may not be something you notice at first.As the infection grows, the puss will fill up the pocket where the infection is. That puss will increase the amount of swelling. With the swelling will usually come increased amount of pain. The pain can come in the form of a dull ache or it can come in the form of sharp, stabbing pain. Pain medications and other remedies will provide only temporary relief. At some point, an abscess left untreated can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. Why Take Care of It Early If the symptoms at the beginning of the abscess are relatively minor, some may wonder why they need to get treatment ASAP. It is much easier to treat an infection when you catch it early. There is less work required and there is less chance of it spreading to other parts of the mouth or the body. It is also possible that anyone that has an abscess has other problems that they may not know about. To restore your oral health completely, it is best to get the treatment needed. For more information about this or any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment. |