In Pediatric Dentistry, there are only a few true emergencies, trauma, and infection from dental abscesses.
Signs and Symptoms of a Dental Abscess include by not limited to:
- Pimple on the gums
- Facial Swelling
- Fever
- Pain
- Bad Breath
An abscessed tooth is an infection that started in the tooth, went down the root of the tooth and is now trying to escape via the gums. Pus forms when the body tries to fight an infection, when the infection can’t drain it forms a pocket that presents like a “pimple” on the gums.
An abscessed tooth requires immediate attention and can be life-threatening if left untreated and spreads. Your dentist will give your child antibiotics to stop the spread of the infection. Once the pressure of the abscess is relieved but draining the abscess the pain should go down. However, the tooth still needs to be treated either with a root canal or extraction.
Until you can see your doctor, reduce pain and swelling by icing the affected area for 10-20 min at a time. Give your child over-the-counter medicine to help with the pain.
Once you have seen your doctor, take the pain and or antibiotics as prescribed. It is very important to not stop giving the antibiotics when your child starts to feel better. This can cause antibacterial resistance in the future.
Prevention is key. Help your child have good oral hygiene to prevent infections like this. Brush your child’s teeth or supervise their brushing twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste and you may need to go over hard-to-reach areas.
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