Dental Abscess Tooth Treatment in San Marcos, CA %%sep%% %%sitename%% (2024)

A dental abscess, also known as an abscessed tooth or tooth abscess, occurs when a pocket of pus forms in or around an infected tooth root. Abscessed teeth can happen to anyone, but a history of gum disease, untreated cavities, and cracks in teeth can increase your risk of developing one. A dental abscess is typically very painful and cannot be resolved without treatment from a dentist.

Dental abscesses can’t wait for treatment. If you have tooth pain or other symptoms of a dental abscess,schedule an appointment at a Bright Now! Dental office near you to get top-notch treatment for a dental abscess in San Marcos, CA.

With multiple locations, flexible scheduling, same-day appointments, and emergency dental care available at many offices, we make it easy and convenient to get treatment for a dental abscess in San Marcos, CA and relieve your pain.

What Causes a Dental Abscess?

Dental abscesses develop when a bacterial infection causes a pus pocket around the tooth’s root. The same type of bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay is behind these infections.

When this bacteria works its way into the inner tissues of the tooth root, known as the tooth pulp, the immune system sends white blood cells to the area to fight the bacteria. The white blood cells start to accumulate, forming a pocket of pus in the soft tissue.

This bacteria can become introduced to the tooth root in many ways and lead to an abscess. Three of the most common are:

• Cavities and untreated tooth decay: One of the reasons it’s important to always have your cavities promptly filled is to prevent dental abscesses.Cavities begin in the enamel, which is the hard outer covering of your teeth. However, as the cavity grows larger, it eventually extends into the deeper tooth issues. Decay is caused by oral bacteria, so once the cavity becomes deep enough, these bacteria are introduced to the tooth pulp and an abscessed tooth can develop.
• Gum disease: Gum disease is caused by the same oral bacteria as tooth decay. When gum disease becomes severe, pockets may form in the gums, exposing the tooth roots and providing an opportunity for bacteria to enter the inner tooth root tissue and lead to an abscess.
• Cracked teeth: Patients don’t always notice they havecracked a tooth until pain sets in a few days or weeks later, and this delayed pain is typically due to an abscess. If you crack a tooth while playing sports or by biting into something hard, bacteria can accumulate in the crack and cause an abscess in the tooth.

What Are the Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess?

The most obvious symptom of a dental abscess is severetooth pain. This pain often feels sharp and piercing, but some patients experience more of a dull, persistent ache. The pain may be localized in a single tooth or it may feel like the entire side of your jaw is hurting. You may also notice the pain only occurs while lying down, making it difficult to sleep. The pain may sometimes seem to be in a different tooth than the affected tooth, which is called referred pain.

In addition to tooth pain, you may experience jaw swelling, gum soreness, and extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods. You may even develop a mild fever.

If the abscess is close to the gum’s surface, you might notice what looks like a pimple on your gums. This pimple may rupture if you press against it with your tongue, releasing a smelly liquid.

What Are the Treatments Options for a Tooth Abscess in San Marcos, CA?

A dental abscess won’t heal on its own. If left untreated, the infection can spread to neighboring teeth, your jawbone, or even your brain or blood tissue. A skilled Bright Now! Dental dentist can quickly detect a dental abcess in our San Marcos, CA office with dental X-rays, which only take a few minutes.

The sooner your dentist treats the abscess, the greater the chances of saving your tooth and avoiding more complicated problems.

The dental abscess treatment your dentist recommends will depend on the severity and location of the infection. If a condition like extensive tooth decay, a large cavity, or advanced gum disease contributed to the dental abscess formation, your dentist will also recommend treating them to prevent future abscesses from developing.

Some of the most common treatments for a dental abscess in San Marcos, CA include:

Draining the Gums

If the abscess is minor and located near the surface of the gums, your dentist may drain the pus through a small incision in your gums. You’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the treatment area during this procedure. However, draining alone is not usually sufficient to treat an abscess. It relieves the pressure in your gums and can help ease your tooth pain, but it does not address the infected tissue inside your tooth. This is why gum draining will likely happen in conjunction with another treatment.

Root Canal

You’ll often need root canal treatmentto remove the infected tissue inside the abscessed tooth and prevent recurrence. The dentist will numb your tooth and gums before the procedure so they can drill through the tooth to access the pulp and tooth roots.

The dentist will then use a special suction device or laser to clear away the infected tooth pulp. Then, the tooth roots and the hole used to access them are filled with synthetic material. Finally, the dentist covers the tooth with a crown to prevent future cracks and damage.

Tooth Extraction

If the tooth is too badly decayed or cracked, or if the infection is extensive, you may need atooth extraction. You’ll receive local anesthesia, and the dentist will use tools called a dental elevator and forceps to remove the tooth from your jaw.

After the empty socket heals, you can replace the tooth with a bridge or dental implant, depending on your dentist’s recommendation.

Antibiotics

Dentists often use antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and penicillin, in conjunction with one of the treatments above. They help your body fight off the bacteria that caused the abscess and also keep the infection from spreading to other teeth.

Your dentist at Bright Now! Dental will typically prescribe you antibiotics for 7 to 10 days. It’s important to take them for the entire prescribed time, even if your dental pain goes away before you’ve completed the treatment.

How can You Prevent a Dental Abscess?

A tooth abscess can be quite painful and may result in costly restorative procedures or even tooth loss, so it’s important to do all you can to prevent them.

Some of the best strategies to prevent a dental abscess in San Marcos, CA are:

• Practice good oral hygiene.
• Brush your teeth twice per day, and floss daily.
  • Good hygiene helps keep oral bacteria at bay, reducing your risk of cavities, gum disease, and abscesses.
• Get regulardental checkups in San Marcos, CA.
  • Most patients need to visit the dentist for a checkup and cleaning every 6 months. If you have a history of serious gum disease or tooth decay, you may need to go more often.
  • Regular checkups ensure that minor issues like cavities and cracks are diagnosed and treated before they can progress to an abscess.
• Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
  • If you play contact sports, wear a mouth guard during practice and games. This reduces your risk of cracked or damaged teeth and the abscesses that can result.
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks.
  • Sugary foods and drinks feed oral bacteria, increasing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth abscesses. Opt for low-sugar snacks like cheese, veggies, and nuts, and steer clear of fruit juice and soda, going for sugar-free choices like water, black coffee, and unsweetened tea.

What Does it Cost to Treat a Dental Abscess in San Marcos, CA?

The costs to treat a tooth abscess in San Marcos, CA vary widely based on the treatment your dentist recommends, which tooth is affected, and the severity of the infection. Your costs can also change if you need any additional dental work before or after the treatment.

If you havedental insurance, your plan will likely cover at least part of the cost to treat your dental abscess. However, depending on the insurance provider, you may have to pay out of pocket for an implant following extraction or for antibiotics if your dentist prescribes them.

Though the cost is not always certain, you should be proactive in treating a tooth abscess. Bright Now! Dental also offers a variety of ways to help you afford to treat your dental abscess in San Marcos, CA, including:

• Flexible financing and payment solutions
• CareCredit
• OneSmile Dental Plan

Affordable Treatment for a Dental Abscess in San Marcos, CA at Bright Now! Dental

We at Bright Now! Dental believe everyone deserves the quality dental care and treatment they need for a beautiful, healthy smile. That’s why we offer a wide range of services, including treatment for your dental abscess in San Marcos, CA, that fit your budget and busy schedule. Plus, you can receive a wide range of dental services at a single convenient location in the heart of San Marcos, CA.

To learn more about all the ways Bright Now! Dental can help you protect your oral health, schedule an appointment at the office nearest you today.