How to Cure a Tooth Infection
There are three types of tooth infections: infection inside the tooth pulp, gum infections and infections around the outer edges of the teeth. The three are painful and can be debilitating if not treated immediately. Although you definitely need to see a dentist to properly treat a dental infection and be cured so the infection doesn't get worse, there are certain measures you can take at home to help with the infection. Find out how to cure a tooth infection with this OneHowTo article.
You'll need:
- Antibiotics
- Antiseptic mouth
- Dental floss
- Salt
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Water
Steps to follow:
A tooth infection or dental abscess is usually caused by tooth decay that destroys the tooth or due to an infection that affects the pulp chamber of a certain piece. It appears as a type of bag full of pus in an area close to the infected tooth and usually presents the following symptoms:
- Intense, acute and piercing pain.
- Inflammation.
- Gum swelling.
- Bad taste in the mouth.
- General discomfort.
- Fever.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
With a tooth infection or any of the mentioned symptoms the first thing you need to do is to go to a dentist as soon as possible. The specialist will check your mouth, drain the accumulated pus and, probably prescribe an antibiotic treatment to fight the infection as well as an analgesic to prevent pain and/or reduce the fever. Later, the dentist will assess if the tooth can be saved or you need an extraction or small surgical intervention to get rid of the infected matter.
It's fundamental to follow your dentist's indications during the whole treatment, so don't take any medicines that have not been prescribed by your trusted professional.
Apart from medical treatment, there are some measures you can put into practice to avoid the tooth infection getting any worse as well as keeping your mouth bacteria-free. One of the most effective ways to cure a tooth infection is to rinse your mouth with a solution of salt water. Three parts water, one part salt and rinse your mouth with it. This is a simple solution to kill the harmful bacteria that is causing the dental infection. Use this solution at least three times daily.
When you have a tooth infection it's more important than ever to take your mouth's hygiene more seriously. Don't forget to brush your teeth right after every meal, using a specific toothpaste with a fluoride formula, as this substance is more effective against tooth decay and bacterial plaque. Be careful when brushing your affected tooth, do it without applying any strength and do so with a soft bristle brush if you can.
If the tooth infection causes your face to swell, it's possible to try to reduce the inflammation by using home remedies such as applying ice, taking chamomile or sage. We invite you to discover them and learn how to use them in our article how to reduce abscess swelling.
As we've pointed out, the most fundamental thing to do to cure a tooth infection is to visit a dentist, as the infection could spread to other areas of your body and could put your health at risk. Moreover, if you want to avoid this type of problems, you should look after your overall mouth health and visit your dentist regularly to get check-ups and especially if you notice tooth decay or have toothache.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Cure a Tooth Infection, we recommend you visit our Family health category.
Tips
- Seek dental care if you suspect that you have a dental infection. Letting an infection remain in the mouth can cause tooth decay.
