Tooth Infection in Queens, NY

A tooth infection creates a pocket of pus underneath the gum line, called 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 occur for a variety of reasons. Poor dental health routines often are the main culprits. Visiting your Queens dentist bi-annually is the best way to stop a bacterial tooth infection in its tracks. Other common tooth infection 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

Terrible nerve pain is the most likely symptom of tooth infections and like other physical bacterial infections, it can pose serious consequences. Immediately call your Queens dentist, very often available for emergencies, if you experience any symptoms of tooth infection, which may include:

• 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 accompanied by sudden pain relief; this could mean that the abscess burst but 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 eliminate the infection completely, 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 combat infection and relieve your pain

Once the infection abates, you may need more treatment. A wisdom tooth infection, for example, may require immediate extraction. If the tooth was severely compromised, a root canal may be in order, followed by a crown. And you may be advised to change your diet to ensure the best results from the treatment.

Infected teeth spread infection to nearby teeth and compromise them as well. You need to receive immediate treatment to prevent even more complications, like losing more than one tooth or developing sustained jaw pain.

Effective preventative techniques include:

• Drinking fluoridated water and getting extra fluoride from your dentist
• Maintaining your dental checkup schedules
• Avoiding sugar
• Flossing after meals
• Implementing proper brushing techniques twice a day
• Using antiseptic mouthwash

After trauma to the teeth, tooth infections rank as the most painful dental problems you ever have to endure. Your dentist at CitiDental quickly diagnoses and cures infection so you don’t develop serious consequences and can get back to your life before tooth pain. Contact CitiDental if you notice the least bit of indication you may have an infected tooth or root canal infection.