If you have ever had a dental abscess, or severe tooth infection, then you are probably familiar with its symptoms. They include severe pain and throbbing around the affected tooth, inflamed gum tissue, and possibly a bad taste in your mouth when you chew or bite down. An abscessed tooth needs to be evaluated and treated as soon as possible to avoid tooth loss. Here are some risk factors that may predispose you to a dental abscess and what you can do about them.
Preexisting Medical Conditions
If you have diabetes or an autoimmune disorder, you may be more susceptible to a dental abscess. Diabetics are also at a higher risk for developing oral yeast and fungal infections such as candida infections.
Also, certain autoimmune disorders can affect the salivary glands, rendering them less effective in producing saliva. When the mouth is dry as a result of lack of salivary flow, microorganisms can accumulate in the oral cavity, raising the risk for a dental abscess and gum disease.
If your health disorders cause a dry mouth, drink plenty of water throughout the day, as this will help wash away infection-causing bacteria inside your mouth. Also, if you have diabetes or an autoimmune disorder, see your dentist on a regular basis for examinations and cleanings.
Make sure that you keep your medical appointments with your physician, because the better managed your diseases are, the less likely you will be to develop oral problems such as tooth infections and gingivitis.
Medications
Certain medications can also raise your risk for a dental abscess. These include oral steroids, antihistamines, beta blockers, and even antibiotics. Other medications such as those used to help prevent organ rejection after transplantation may also heighten your risk for a dental abscess and other oral infections.
If you take any of these medications, tell your dentist. He or she will closely monitor you for subtle or early symptoms of a tooth infection. It is important to note, that even if you believe your medications are negatively affecting your oral health, never stop taking them without asking your medical doctor.
If you have diabetes, an autoimmune disorder, or take any of the above medications, work with both your physician and dentist. When you work with both of these healthcare professionals, you will be less likely to develop tooth infections and other oral health problems, such as dry mouth, gum disease, and oral fungal infections.
Share12 May 2019
The average dentist takes many client appointments each day and also deals with emergency situations on a regular basis. Dental emergencies are very common because people are likely to put off having tooth pain fixed until the pain becomes unbearable. Some people have anxiety about dental visits, and others are trying to avoid the expense of dental care. In either case, the end result is often a dental emergency. I have worked as a professional dental hygienist for many years and have seen all types of dental emergencies. I hope that this blog will help people identify potential emergencies before they become too serious and will allow people to know when to get help.
