How to drain a gum abscess? At the dentist’s? At home with natural products? Why does a dental abscess often cause swelling? And finally, how can you soothe the pain caused by a swollen tooth abscess?
I. What Is a Dental Abscess?
Oral infections can manifest themselves as dental abscess.
It is a bacterial overgrowth that causes an abscess in the gum or the root of a tooth.
It is a painful swelling full of pus. Dental abscesses occur when there is an infection that affects the tissues of the periodontal pocket.
The pain associated with a dental abscess is constant, accentuated by the slightest contact with the abscessed area.
II. Types of Dental Abscesses (Gum Abscess)
There are two types of dental abscesses: periapical abscesses and periodontal abscesses.
1. Periapical abscess
Periapical abscesses occur when a tooth has been devitalized or there has been pulp necrosis.
In such cases, it is not uncommon for an abscess to develop at the root of the tooth.
Periapical abscesses are also caused by dental caries that have not been treated properly or at all. It is the bacteria from this infection that eventually cause the abscess. Hence the need to take an antibiotic.
2. Periodontal abscess
The periodontal abscess is located in the gum. Unlike periapical abscesses, periodontal abscesses are caused by periodontal disease.
Indeed, it is enough that a periodontal infection has been badly treated for an abscess to appear on the gum.
It can also happen that an abscess in the gum occurs because of a wisdom tooth that has not grown properly.
III. Why does a Tooth Abscess Often Cause Swelling?
Swelling is one of the symptoms of an abscessed tooth. When you experience severe jaw pain and feel your cheek swelling, you may have an abscessed tooth.
When germs and bacteria begin to spread, the immune system responds by sending platelets into the affected area.
Inflammation and swelling of the gums are therefore signs of infection, but also of immune action.
IV. How to drain a gum abscess medically (at the dentist’s)?
The appearance of a dental abscess requires rapid treatment. The dentist will be able to determine what type of dental abscess it is.
In the case of a periapical dental abscess, drainage is performed after the affected tooth has been opened.
To prevent the infection from spreading, the dentist prescribes an antibiotic, as well as painkillers to ease the suffering.
As for the periodontal abscess, everything will depend on the stage of the disease. But beyond draining the abscess, the dentist will also treat the periodontal disease that caused the abscess.
Here again, antibiotics will be prescribed. If the bone is infected, it may be necessary to extract the affected tooth.
V. How to Drain a Gum Abscess at Home?
1. Clove Essential Oil
Using clove essential oil is a grandmother’s remedy to deflate a tooth abscess.
All you have to do is put a few drops of clove EO on your finger.
Then apply this oil directly to the abscess, rubbing gently so as not to irritate yourself. This will soothe you.
2. Mouthwash with Baking Soda
Another way to naturally deflate your abscess is to use baking soda as a mouthwash.
Pour a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water, and use this mixture as a mouthwash. The baking soda will reduce your pain.
3. Homeopathy
Don’t hesitate to ask a pharmacist for advice on homeopathic products for abscessed teeth.
You can use Calendula 5 CH, Pyrogenium 7CH as well as Hepar Sulfur 15 CH to treat tooth abscesses naturally.
4. Magnesium
If you have an abscessed tooth, magnesium can be used in the form of compresses, to be applied to the affected area.
Simply soak the compresses with water diluted with magnesium.
You can also, for 3 weeks, take a magnesium cure. Pour 20 g of magnesium into a liter of water and drink a glass twice a day.
VI. How to Soothe the Pain of a Swollen Gum Abscess?
1. Brushing Your Teeth
Even if the tooth abscess is painful, don’t skip brushing your teeth. Bacteria must not proliferate in your already sensitive mouth.
So if you have an abscessed tooth, use a soft toothbrush, which will be less painful for your entire mouth.
Brush your teeth meticulously and carefully, avoiding touching the tooth abscess.
2. Mouthwash
Mouthwash can help with an abscessed tooth. You can make your mouthwash, using baking soda or salt for example.
A spoonful of either in a glass of water will provide relief and help stop the infection.
3. Ice on the Cheek
When your cheek is swollen and sore from an abscessed tooth, you can apply an ice pack to it.
Do not leave it on for more than 10 minutes to avoid cold burns. The cold will give you some relief.
Do this as often as necessary.
4. Painkillers
Taking painkillers is always advisable if you have a tooth abscess. Painkillers soothe the pain caused by the infection.
You won’t need a prescription for them. There are many over-the-counter painkillers available in pharmacies. Just go there and ask for advice.
5. Chewing on the Other Side of the Jaw
If you have an abscessed tooth, avoid eating on the painful side of your mouth. It is important to keep this area of your mouth as free as possible.
To do this, eat on the opposite side of your mouth from the side with the abscessed tooth.
6. Antiseptic Gel
There are antiseptic gels that you can use to soothe the pain of dental abscesses.
You will just have to apply them to the affected part to feel relief.
VII. Other Questions About How to drain a Gum Abscess
1. How Long Does It Take to Treat an Abscessed Tooth?
Although the treatment of a tooth abscess depends on the severity of the abscess, it can be estimated that the treatment of a dental infection such as a tooth abscess takes about a week.
Amoxicillin is usually the antibiotic prescribed for tooth abscesses, as it covers a large number of bacteria and microbes. However, avoid self-medication and wait for your dentist to write you a prescription.
This antibiotic treatment will prevent the infection from spreading. But it is important to drain the abscess and to act on the cause of the abscess if it is a periodontal disease for example. Otherwise, the infection could spread.
2. Can an Abscessed Tooth Be Treated without Going to the Dentist?
It is not advisable to treat an abscessed tooth without going to the dentist. Complications of an abscessed tooth are numerous and serious.
These include sinus infection, endocarditis, and Ludwig’s angina.
but it should also be noted that sometimes, for financial reasons or because of unbearable pain, some people deflate their dental abscess themselves with an aseptic needle and mouthwash to avoid another infection by the released bacteria.
3. Can a Tooth Abscess Be Burst Naturally?
Avoid bursting your tooth abscess. You will release the bacteria in your mouth and risk a more serious infection.
You risk a superinfection if you burst your tooth abscess, even if you feel a sense of relief at the time.
4. Why no Anti-inflammatory Drugs for an Abscessed Tooth?
Anti-inflammatory drugs are not recommended for tooth abscesses because they increase the risk of infection.
Although anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce pain, they do not work on the infection and may make it worse and mask the signs.
Useful Links:
Microbiota in Human Periodontal Abscess Revealed by 16S rDNA Sequencing
Dental abscess: A potential cause of death and morbidity
Losing Baby Teeth Early (4 Years Old), Should We Worry?