Abscesses are bacterial infections of the tooth or surrounding gums, and can be extremely painful. Knowing what to do to help your child gets the relief they need can be helpful as a parent. Find out how to prevent your child from developing an abscessed tooth in the future with the help of our Kids Dentist Las Vegas.
How does an abscessed tooth develop?
A tooth becomes abscessed when a pocket of pus forms in the gums surrounding the tooth. Oftentimes, this is due to food trapped in their gums, an injury to the mouth, or poor oral hygiene that leads to cavities.
An abscessed tooth causes pain in the gum tissue. It is usually accompanied by redness and swelling. A pimple-like swelling may develop on the gums. It is often worse when chewing or eating, and the pain can extend down into the jaw.
Teeth may also appear darker than other teeth around them. Your child may complain of bad breath and a bad taste in their mouth.
A child with an abscessed tooth may not exhibit any symptoms. As a result, there is no pain because the tooth has lost vitality, which means the ability to feel. Routine X-rays are usually able to detect these abscesses, so ensure your child visits the dentist on a regular basis.
Here are some tips on treating an abscessed tooth.
You must take your child to the dentist if you suspect that their tooth has become abscessed. You should make an appointment with your pediatric dentist as soon as possible if your child has an abscessed tooth.
The dentist may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. To drain the fluid, they may also make a small hole in the tooth or lance (cut open) the gums. With these procedures, your child’s abscessed tooth should become less painful. The pulp of the tooth may need to be replaced if necessary with a medicinal filling or healing medicine.
At Home Treatment for Abscessed Tooth in Child
After your child has been to the dentist, there are a few things you can do to ease the pain.
In order to reduce pain and swelling after the procedure, place an ice pack or cold pack in a cloth and place it against their face. Put the ice on for 10 to 20 minutes and then take it off for 20 minutes.
If your child’s dentist prescribed pain medication along with antibiotics, make sure you administer the pills as directed. Even once your child feels better, do not stop the antibiotics; they need to complete the entire course.
Here is what you can do to prevent your child from developing an abscess.
Preventing an abscessed tooth is as simple as maintaining good oral hygiene. A fluoride toothpaste should be used twice daily, for a full two minutes each time.
Flossing should also be done at least once per day. It is especially important as it removes any food trapped between the teeth and gums.
A mouthwash can also contribute to your child’s oral health if they are old enough. Even though it doesn’t replace brushing and flossing, a final rinse with mouthwash can help loosen any lingering food particles and kill bacteria.
Also, make sure your child visits the dentist every six months to avoid getting an abscessed tooth. During these regular appointments, your child’s dentist will not only provide a deep clean, but also identify potential issues before they become serious.
Also, if your child complains of teeth sensitivity, gum pain, or if they damage or fracture a tooth, see the dentist right away. It is important to get damaged teeth treated as soon as possible in order to prevent bacteria from infecting the pulp and causing an abscess.
Contact The Kids Dentist Of Las Vegas Today
Contact us as soon as possible if you think your child has an abscessed tooth. Regardless of the reason for the visit, our team is dedicated to ensuring that your child has a safe and relaxing experience in our care. To schedule your appointment, please call 702-454-1008 or contact us online.