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Should I Drain a Tooth Abscess?

Laura Evans
Laura Evans

A tooth abscess develops as the result of tooth decay. People without medical training should not attempt to drain a tooth abscess. Only a medical professional such as a dentist should drain a tooth abscess, though people with abscesses should seek medical treatment. Without proper treatment, a tooth abscess can lead to complications that can be potentially life threatening.

When bacteria invade a tooth through a crack or breach in the tooth's enamel, the tooth's pulp may ultimately become infected. The resulting pus and swelling tissue can cause a toothache. As the infection spreads into the root of the tooth, an abscess may form. The root may die and the infection may continue to spread into the bones of the jaw.

Only trained doctor's should attempt to drain a tooth abscess.
Only trained doctor's should attempt to drain a tooth abscess.

Symptoms of a tooth abscess include a throbbing toothache and sensitivity to hot or cold. It may be painful to chew. The person may have facial swelling and a temperature. While a person should not try to drain a tooth abscess, the abscess may break open on its own, resulting in a gush of foul-tasting and foul-smelling liquid into the mouth.

A dentist's goals in treating a tooth abscess are to treat the infection and to save the tooth. In order to do this, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics. In addition, the dentist may have to perform a root canal. During a root canal, the dentist will remove infected pulp, drain the tooth abscess, and seal the tooth. In some cases, the tooth may have to be completely removed.

A tooth abscess may cause a throbbing toothache.
A tooth abscess may cause a throbbing toothache.

If one does not seek treatment to drain a tooth abscess, the infection can lead to serious medical conditions. The infection can spread to different parts of the body in addition to the jaw, including the face. Untreated tooth abscesses can also lead to brain abscesses, pneumonia, and sepsis, which can lead to death.

A tooth consists of several parts, such as the crown, the neck, and the root. The crown is the part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line of the mouth. Necks are the areas on teeth where the crowns meet the roots. Roots can be thought of as being similar to roots of trees. Teeth roots serve to anchor the teeth in place in the jaw. In addition, small holes at the bottoms of roots, called apical foramen, allow nerves and blood vessels to enter teeth from the jaw.

Tooth decay may cause bad breath.
Tooth decay may cause bad breath.

Teeth also have layers. Enamel is the hard outer covering over the crown that serves as protection for the tooth. Cementum, although not as tough as enamel, covers the surface of the root or roots of the tooth. Dentin, which makes up most of the "body" of a tooth, is the level next to the cementum. Pulp or the pulp cavity holds all of the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth.

Discussion Comments

Heavanet

@rundocuri- You were right to tell your friend not to attempt to drain her tooth abscess on her own. Just like the article says, this can be dangerous and can make an already serious problem worse. If your friend doesn't have the money to see a dentist, there are other options available.

The first step that your friend should take is to see if there are any low-cost dental clinics in or close to the city where she lives. Many communities have these clinics that provide basic and emergency dental care at reduced prices.

If a low-cost dental clinic is not an option for your friend, she should check with dentists in her area to see if any offer payment plans for their services. With the rising costs of dental care, many practices offer these services to patients who can't pay their bills all at once.

Finally, if your friend's tooth abscess infection is very bad, she should consider visiting her doctor or her local emergency room. Though this won't correct the entire problem, it will allow her to be evaluated by a medical professional and get medications to treat her infected tooth. She may even be able to get a referral to a dental clinic that can help resolve her problem.

Rundocuri

What can someone do who has a tooth abscess but no dental insurance? I have a friend in this situation, and I am worried about her. I told her not to attempt to drain the abscess herself, because it will not correct the problem.

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    • Only trained doctor's should attempt to drain a tooth abscess.
      By: kocakayaali
      Only trained doctor's should attempt to drain a tooth abscess.
    • A tooth abscess may cause a throbbing toothache.
      By: Lsantilli
      A tooth abscess may cause a throbbing toothache.
    • Tooth decay may cause bad breath.
      By: stefanolunardi
      Tooth decay may cause bad breath.
    • The hardest part of the human body, enamel is the protective outer layer of the teeth.
      By: Jeremys78
      The hardest part of the human body, enamel is the protective outer layer of the teeth.
    • An abscessed tooth may cause the lymph nodes to swell.
      By: Barabas Attila
      An abscessed tooth may cause the lymph nodes to swell.