Tooth Infection in Queens, NY

A tooth infection creates a pocket of pus under the gum line. Dentists call this an abscess. According to the Mayo Clinic, “The abscess can occur at different regions of the tooth for different reasons. A periapical (per-e-AP-ih-kul) abscess occurs at the tip of the root, whereas a periodontal (per-e-o-DON-tul) abscess occurs in the gums next to a tooth root.” The infection quickly can spread through your body and lead to nerve damage and bone loss. A life-threatening illness called sepsis can even occur.”

Tooth infections happen for a variety of reasons. Poor dental health routines are often the main culprit. Visiting your Queens dentist twice a year is the best way to stop a bacterial tooth infection before it starts. Other common causes include:

• Untreated tooth decay.
• Accidents that lead to a broken tooth.
• Failure from previous dental work, like when large fillings go bad.
• Severe periodontal disease that causes bone loss and allows bacteria to invade the inner tooth.
• Lack of professional teeth cleanings.
• Root canal infection following a root canal procedure.
• Wisdom tooth infection that sometimes happens when wisdom teeth become impacted.

Severe nerve pain is the most common symptom of a tooth infection. Like other bacterial infections, it can cause serious problems if ignored. Call your Queens dentist right away, who is often available for emergencies, if you notice any of these symptoms:

• A sudden onset of extreme sensitivity to cold or hot food and drinks, as well as ambient temperature changes.
• Severe pain that won’t subside and travels down your jaw, face, ears or neck.
• High fever, more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Strong pain when you bite or chew.
• Swollen lymph nodes that also are painful and tender to the touch.
• Swelling around your face that can be serious, especially if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Bad breath, or a salty-tasting fluid with sudden pain relief. This could mean the abscess has burst, but it still must be treated.

Your Queens family dentist has a number of treatment options once the infection is gone. A thorough cleaning to remove any remaining infected material may be the only procedure you need. To fully get rid of the infection, your dentist may also:

• Prescribe a run of antibiotics.
• Pull the tooth.
• Recommend a root canal procedure.
• Suggest periodontal dental surgery.
• Give you medicine in pellet or gel form to further fight infection and relieve your pain.

Once the infection clears, you may need more treatment. A wisdom tooth infection, for example, may require immediate extraction. If the tooth was severely damaged, you may need a root canal, followed by a crown. You may also be advised to change your diet for the best results.

An infected tooth can spread infection to nearby teeth and damage them too. You need immediate treatment to prevent more problems, like losing more than one tooth or developing ongoing jaw pain.

Ways to help prevent a tooth infection include:

• Drinking fluoridated water and getting extra fluoride from your dentist.
• Keeping up with your dental checkup schedule.
• Avoiding sugar.
• Flossing after meals.
• Brushing properly twice a day.
• Using antiseptic mouthwash.

Aside from trauma to the teeth, tooth infections rank among the most painful dental problems you’ll ever have to face. Your dentist at CitiDental of Woodhaven quickly diagnoses and treats infection, so you avoid serious problems and get back to your life sooner. Contact CitiDental of Woodhaven if you notice any sign that you may have an infected tooth or a root canal infection.