Skip to main content
Get directions (865) 947-6453
contact us
  • Dental Services
    • Smile Gallery
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Veneers
    • Invisalign
    • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Myofunctional Therapy
    • Root Canals
    • Oral Cancer
    • Gum Disease Treatment with Laser
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Before and After Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Sleep Apnea
    • MediByte Jr Patient Set Up
    • Sleep Apnea Symptom Quiz
  • Botox
  • For Patients
    • Advantage Program
    • Make A Payment
    • Kids Activity Books
    • New Patient Forms
    • New Patient Special
    • COVID-19 Patient Information
  • About
    • Meet Our Team
    • Meet Dr. Wesley Mullins
    • Meet Dr. Austin Owen
    • Testimonials
    • Blog
contact us

How to Prevent an Oral Abscess

May 13, 2013 By Dr. Wesley Mullins Leave a Comment

Spread the love

How to Prevent an Oral AbscessWarning: This post is going to be gross.  Abscesses are gross, painful, and dangerous. That’s why we want to help you prevent them.

What Are Abscesses?

Abscesses are your body’s natural reaction to infection. White blood cells surround invaders and create a barrier, isolating damaged tissue and the enemy cells to prevent the spread of infection. Within the “quarantined” area, pus forms from the dead tissue, cells, and fluid. This collection of waste material is the abscess.

Oral abscesses can be located either in the tooth itself or in the surrounding gums, and they generally occur when cavities or gum disease are left untreated. An oral abscess will be accompanied by a throbbing or aching pain, swelling, and redness. Other symptoms can include fever, swollen glands in the neck, a bitter taste in the mouth, and bad breath.

Complications

It is very important to treat oral abscesses quickly, both because they are much easier to treat in the early stages, and because the infection can spread to other parts of the body.

The bleeding that often occurs with gum disease can allow bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream and cause infections in the jaw, face, sinuses, and beyond.  In those with weak immune systems and people with certain heart conditions, this can lead to dangerous complications like (in rare cases) endocarditis, an infection in the lining and valves of the heart.

Treatment

In the past, abscesses were treated by removing the tooth, but in most cases today there are other options. First, a dentist drains the abscess, eliminating much of the pain and a majority of the infection. The dentist will then be able to treat the underlying source of the problem. Depending on the severity of the infection, the diseased tissue may be removed by root canal, though in serious cases, extraction may still be necessary.

How to Prevent an Oral Abscess

Preventing an abscess comes down to avoiding tooth decay and gum disease. Be vigilant about your daily brushing and flossing, use an antiseptic fluoride mouthwash, and avoid cavity-causing foods and drinks. Unfortunately, you can’t do it alone – regular checkups and cleanings are necessary to clear away entrenched plaque that you can’t remove by yourself. Protect your teeth from cracks or chips, and treat any damage quickly – anything that affects the integrity of the tooth can create an opening for infection.

If you suspect you have an abscess, call us (or your dentist) immediately!

If you live in East Tennessee, we’d love to have you as one of our patients. Contact us today, and we’ll be happy to set up an appointment.

If you’d like to receive updates from My Family Dentistry, information and tips about dental care, promotions, and more, subscribe to our email newsletter.

We’d love to hear from you! Keep in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.

 

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
How to Prevent an Oral AbscessHow to Prevent an Oral AbscessHow to Prevent an Oral AbscessHow to Prevent an Oral Abscess

Dr. Wesley Mullins

Dentist at My Family Dentistry
We're so glad you've found My Family Dentistry, and we want you to get to know us! My Family Dentistry serving Powell and Knoxville, TN practices a uniquely comfortable dentistry approach to dental services.
How to Prevent an Oral AbscessHow to Prevent an Oral AbscessHow to Prevent an Oral AbscessHow to Prevent an Oral Abscess

Latest posts by Dr. Wesley Mullins (Knoxville Dentist)

  • Medical Connection: Oral Health and Alzheimer’s Disease - March 31, 2021
  • What Does a Dental Hygienist Do? - March 17, 2021
  • The Surefire Way to Get Whiter Teeth - March 10, 2021
  • 3 Ways to Treat Oral Pain After Dental Work - March 1, 2021
  • Is Gum Disease Related to Other Health Problems? - February 24, 2021

Request an Appointment

Step 1 of 6

16%
    Patients who are well, but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should consider postponing elective treatment.
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Your Contact Information

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Preferred Appointment Dates

Knoxville Dentist Speaking Engagements

Top dentists in Powell 2015
Voted 2015’s Best Dentist in Powell, TN
Verified by Opencare.com
CareCredit Button
Dental Guys Button

About Us

My Family Dentistry in Powell TN puts “comfortable dentistry” at the heart of our practice. Dr. Wesley Mullins and his team provide compassionate care, experience, a gentle touch, and excellent dentistry that will make you want to be a patient of My Family Dentistry.

Read more

Location

My Family Dentistry
7714 Conner Road #102
Powell, TN 37849

(865) 947-6453

Get Directions

Quicklinks

  • Advantage Program
  • New Dental Patient Special
  • New Dental Patient Forms
  • My Family Dentistry Blog
  • Sitemap

Connect

Subscribe to Our Blog

© 2021 My Family Dentistry. All Rights Reserved.
Website Design & Development by VIEO Design