Your teeth seem hard and indestructible; however, did you know that they have vulnerable interiors? A tooth has a pulp that contains nerves, soft connective tissue, and blood vessels. A pulp infection is called a dental abscess. Symptoms of tooth infection can be quite painful and require immediate treatment. Sometimes, root canal therapy may effectively treat an abscess; however, if the affected tooth dies because of the infection, an extraction may be necessary. A cosmetic dentist in Fresno, CA, will evaluate the condition of the infected tooth to determine if it has to be pulled out. After extraction, they may recommend a replacement option for the missing tooth.

Pulp infections usually occur because of gum disease, cracked teeth, and tooth decay. Dental abscesses can be quite painful and result in permanent jawbone loss. When not treated promptly, infections can spread to other body parts, causing severe consequences. 

Symptoms of Molar Infection

A molar infection may lead to sharp, throbbing pain every time pressure is put on your tooth. Also, such pain can radiate to other parts of your face, including the jaw. A molar infection can also present other symptoms, such as bad breath, dark red, swollen gums, and tooth sensitivity.

Trouble breathing, swollen lymph nodes, and fever may also happen. When these symptoms occur, this could mean the infection has spread throughout your body. 

Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Infection

You probably have 4 wisdom teeth at the back of your mouth. If there is no sufficient room for a wisdom tooth to erupt, it can become impacted, leading to tooth pain, tooth damage, and crowding. An impacted wisdom tooth is quite susceptible to infection. Thus, it usually needs to be removed. An infection in your wisdom teeth may have occurred if you notice symptoms such as jaw pain, red and puffy gums, tender, bleeding gums, bad breath or bad taste, and difficulty opening your mouth.

Treatment for Tooth Infections

A dental abscess can be addressed in different such as:

• Root canal therapy. This procedure is meant to remove the infection to preserve the infected tooth. It involves cleaning, filling, and sealing the tooth’s root canals.
• Extraction. If the infected tooth cannot be saved, your dentist will have to remove it. Extraction is often necessary for an infected or impacted tooth.
• Surgery. Surgery may be necessary for a periodontal abscess. It is performed to drain the abscess and alleviate the related pain.
• Antibiotics. If the tooth infection has spread further into your jaw or other body parts, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to manage the infection.