Healthy oral hygiene routines are vital for a reason. If you don’t regularly brush and floss your teeth and gums, a sticky substance called plaque starts to build up. Over time, this combination of saliva, food, and bacteria can begin to damage your oral cavity.
If left unattended, you may eventually get cavities that can lead to harmful bacterial infections in the delicate tissues of your teeth and gums. After this infection takes hold, you may notice a white bump on your gums – a pocket of pus called a dental abscess.
A dental abscess, or abscessed tooth, can cause:
Furthermore, abscessed teeth are serious infections that can cause sepsis if not treated.
At his self-named practice, endodontist Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, uses incision and drainage to treat abscessed teeth. This month’s blog explores everything you need to know about this tooth-saving procedure.
Although antibiotics are often used to treat infections, they’re not usually effective at addressing abscessed teeth. Because of that, physically removing the abscess is recommended.
During this procedure, Dr. Nance thoroughly numbs the treatment area with an anesthetic before cutting into your teeth and gums to reach the abscess.
Once he gains access to the abscess, he cuts it open to drain the pus.
After it’s drained, he thoroughly cleans it with a saline solution and stitches the incision site closed.
In some cases, a rubber dam needs to be placed in the incision to allow the infected pus to drain. It usually only needs to be left in for a day or two after the procedure.
After your incision and drainage procedure, you can brush and floss your teeth as usual. However, take extra care around the incision site while it heals.
Expect some bleeding around that area, so apply some pressure with gauze to address any drainage. For any pain or swelling, take ibuprofen (as directed by our team) and apply ice packs to your face.
To keep the area clean and infection-free, rinse your mouth a few times daily with a saltwater solution. You must also take antibiotics exactly as prescribed to clear the infection and keep it from returning.
Don't wait to seek treatment if you suspect you have an abscessed tooth. The earlier you seek treatment, the more likely an incision and drainage procedure will be successful, reducing your risk of needling other more invasive treatments.
Schedule an appointment by calling your nearest office location today.
