INFECTIONS

Your mouth is susceptible to a plethora of infections in every space. Left untreated, dental infections can lead to potentially life-threatening complications.

 

Being proactive is the number one defense against dental infections. This means you need to follow these two pieces of sage advice:

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• Take care of your mouth and teeth as we have indicated elsewhere

• Make sure and see us every 6 months, without fail.

 

If you have any of these symptoms, you may have a dental infection:

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• Swollen gums, jaw, or glands of the neck

• Fever

• Severe & persistent toothache

• Foul smelling breath

• Bitter taste in mouth

• Teeth sensitivity to hot or cold, or sensitivity to the pressure of chewing

 

Treatment of a dental infection needs to be initiated as soon as possible.

 

Treatments can include:

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• Root canal

• Incise and drain abscess

• Pull affected/infected tooth

• Antibiotics

• Pain relievers (NSAID’s help reduce inflammation … always take with food). We will advise the strength you could take.

• Rinse your mouth with warm water and salt. You can also ice your face.

• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as well as consuming hot, spicy or acidic foods.