Any dental disease affects not only the general well-being, but also the person’s mood. Discomfort, severe pain, inability to eat food - all this negatively affects health. Periodontal abscess is an extremely unpleasant pathology that develops very quickly. Only soft tissues are affected, the tooth does not suffer: a purulent abscess is formed exclusively on the gum.
Reasons for the development of pathology
A periodontal abscess is a kind of pus filled with pus. The following factors influence its appearance:
- Gum pathology: gingivitis, periodontitis, periodontal disease.
- Injuries to the soft tissue surrounding the tooth.
- Gum burn.
- Poor work of a specialist when installing a prosthesis or crown.
- Dental diseases: caries, advanced pulpitis.
- Poor dental canal cleaning .
In general, the disease appears due to infection of the gums. If you do not start treatment of the pathology on time, then the patient’s condition can significantly worsen, and the periodontal abscess itself may increase. In this case, even deformation of the jaw is possible. Exacerbation of the disease is provoked by stress, weakening of the body's defenses, colds or viral diseases. Whatever it was, but the abscess must be treated.
Symptoms of pathology
Periodontal abscess is a very painful formation, which is characterized by such symptoms:
- Unpleasant sensations during meals (cold or hot).
- Pain syndrome, which manifests itself during chewing, biting.
- The appearance of bumps.
- Isolation of pus from the gums.
- Fever.
- The appearance of a bad smell from the oral cavity.
- Headache.
- Inability to sleep normally.
- Impaired appetite and even nausea.
- With frequent pressure on the affected area, a tooth jaw can be detected. This is a very dangerous condition, as crowns can simply be lost.
- If you do not start the treatment of the disease, then the abscess will greatly increase, which will be noticeable to the naked eye.
In some cases, it’s even difficult for the patient to speak. Sometimes the abscess is opened independently, but the doctor must be consulted anyway. He will completely clear the affected gum with a disinfectant and prescribe further therapy.
Diagnosis of the disease
In general, an abscess located on the gum is detected quite simply, even during a visual examination by the dentist. In addition, the patient tells the specialist his complaints, on the basis of which he can make a preliminary conclusion. However, in some cases, an X-ray examination of the jaw is required to clarify the diagnosis. Additional tests may also be prescribed. They help establish the cause of the development of the disease. If a person is diagnosed with periodontal abscess, treatment at home is effective. However, you need to know what and how to use.
What to do before visiting a doctor?
If a person has a periodontal abscess, treatment should be started immediately. Naturally, you should definitely see a dentist. But up to this point, you can help yourself on your own. To do this, use the following recommendations:
- A cold compress can be applied to the affected area. It will help eliminate pain.
- In order to reduce the concentration of pathogens in the mouth, you can rinse it with decoctions of herbs (chamomile, calendula, oak bark) or medicines (solution of furatsilina or potassium permanganate).
- It is best not to eat solid foods. Moreover, it is necessary to monitor its temperature. Too cold or hot dishes increase the intensity of pain.
- Drink more fluids. In this case, plain or mineral water is used.
- If there is an increase in temperature, then you should use an analgesic or antipyretic agent: “Ketonal”, “Nurofen”, “Paracetamol”.
- In no case can the affected area be heated, as this will only increase the inflammatory process.
If the patient has a periodontal abscess, it can certainly be treated at home. But you need to do this after a visit to the dentist. Periodontal abscess looks very unaesthetic. Photos of education can be seen in any medical encyclopedia. Despite this, squeezing it is not recommended. This can provoke temporary relief. But the infection will get into the wound, and the inflammatory process will spread further.
Features of the traditional treatment of pathology
So, if a person is diagnosed with a periodontal abscess, treatment (antibiotics are prescribed only by a doctor in the presence of a strong inflammatory process) includes surgery, drug therapy. During a visit to the doctor, he opens an abscess, removes pus from it and cleanses the affected cavity. In order for the gum to heal faster, you can use physiotherapeutic procedures or laser therapy.
Some time after the opening of the abscess was performed, it is necessary to see a doctor and make sure that the inflammatory process is eliminated. If treatment does not start on time, then the disease can become chronic. That is, suppuration will periodically appear again. Self-medication in this case is contraindicated, otherwise such complications may develop: osteomyelitis, phlegmon.
Alternative treatment: effective recipes
Periodontal abscess (medication is not the only method of therapy), can be eliminated using unconventional methods. For example, you should use decoctions of herbs or compresses based on them. Naturally, it is better to resort to this method after the abscess has been opened and cleaned by the dentist. Such recipes will be useful:
- A poultice of flax seeds. It should be applied to the outside of the cheek if the abscess has become very large. It is necessary to use such a compress until the abscess has matured.
- Flowers and leaves of clover. This remedy helps eliminate unripe abscesses. In this case, clover is used as a compress. Preliminary raw materials need to be treated with boiling water.
- Aloe leaves. The presented plant is capable of killing harmful bacteria and eliminating the inflammatory process. Lotions are made of it and applied to the affected area.
- Porridge from the leaves of plantain, as well as horse sorrel. Both herbs must be chopped and wiped. Next, the gruel is wrapped in gauze and applied to the abscess.
These folk recipes will help to quickly and effectively eliminate an abscess at any stage of development. However, you should first consult with your doctor.
Features of an autopsy
Periodontal abscess (symptoms were discussed earlier) is a pathology that in most cases requires surgical intervention. The autopsy procedure is quite simple:
- First, the oral cavity is thoroughly cleaned.
- Local anesthesia is done at the autopsy site.
- An opening and cleansing of the gum cavity with the laying of an antibacterial drug is performed.
After the procedure, the doctor should prescribe antibiotic therapy to the patient to prevent re-infection of the wound. In addition, you will need to use means that strengthen the immune system.
Preventative measures
It is better to prevent any pathology than to deal with its treatment later. To suppuration on the gum does not appear, you must follow these recommendations:
- Regularly carry out hygienic cleaning of the oral cavity after eating: brushing your teeth, using dental floss, rinsing your mouth with plain warm water or antiseptic solutions.
- Periodically, a dentist should be shown to evaluate the condition of the teeth and gums.
- It is necessary to timely treat all pathologies of the oral cavity: caries, periodontitis, gingivitis.
- It is advisable not to eat too cold, hot or hard foods.
That's all the features of the treatment of gum abscesses. Be healthy!