If your gums are swollen or bleeding, or you experience pain in your jaw, you may have a gum abscess. This condition will require a trip to the dentist so you can get treatment as soon as possible and relieve the pain.
What Is a Gum Abscess?
A gum abscess is an infection with pus found alongside a tooth. Contributing factors to the abscess include food and tartar in the gum area. If you’re already undergoing periodontal treatment, your gum abscess may be caused by introducing bacteria into the gingival pockets or bacterial superinfection.
Symptoms of a gum abscess are:
• Gum swelling with or without pain
• Increased pain while biting
• Pus discharge when pressure is applied
• Bad taste in your mouth
• Loose tooth sensation
The American Academy of Periodontology classified gum abscesses into gingival and periodontal abscesses. A gingival abscess is an infection that affects the marginal gingiva. A periodontal abscess is an infection within the tissues adjacent to the periodontal pocket. If untreated, it can lead to the destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.
Treating Gum Abscess
Treatment includes draining the abscess by making an incision over the area of greatest swelling on the gingiva or through the periodontal pockets. If you have a periodontal abscess, your dentist might decide to perform mechanical scaling of the periodontal pockets and use an antiseptic rinse to remove the dead tissue and bacteria. If a foreign object is embedded in your gums, it will also need to be removed.
Your dentist may give you antibiotics, which will help with the infection, and recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed. Once you are home, you can rinse with warm salt water to help reduce the swelling.
If you are looking for a Downers Grove dentist to treat your abscess, contact Webster Dental today at 630.663.0554. Having healthy teeth and gums is important to your overall well-being. At Webster Dental we make your health a priority. Our soft tissue management program focuses on preventing and treating gum disease (periodontal disease). And our soft tissue management program teaches you good dental hygiene you can use at home.