tooth infection Archives - Atlanta Dental Implants

Life-Saving Advice About Seeking Toothache Relief

Posted on January 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

A 2000-2008 study published in the Journal of Endodontics reported 66 deaths in the United States attributed to tooth infections. This translates to five to ten fatalities per year, highlighting the potential severity of neglecting dental issues and self-care for toothache relief.

Are Antibiotics Enough to Clear a Tooth Infection?

Antibiotics are not enough to clear a tooth infection. The medication targets living bacteria, but the dead tooth pulp is often the source of a tooth infection. Antibiotics cannot reach the infection in a tooth. Relying solely on antibiotics for toothache relief can contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, complicating future treatment of various infections.

A Tragic Tooth Infection Case: Vadim Kondratyuk Anatoliyevich

The story of Vadim Kondratyuk Anatoliyevich is a reminder of the dangers involved. A 26-year-old father, Vadim, suffered from a worsening toothache while on a truck driving trip from California to New York. Despite seeking dental along the way in Oklahoma and receiving antibiotics, his condition escalated. Vadim’s brother arranged a plane trip home for Vadim, but the infection ultimately led to his death. The crucial takeaway from Vadim’s story is understanding the limitations of antibiotics for toothache relief and treating tooth infections.

What Should You Do for a Toothache?

Dental implant

If you have a toothache, don’t ignore it, even if it feels mild initially. Do-it-yourself toothache relief is a temporary solution. Meanwhile, the infection will continue to spread. A dentist can perform root canal treatment to save the tooth. Sometimes, extraction is necessary.

Underlying health conditions can make you more vulnerable to infections, so intervention from a dentist is crucial to prevent a tooth infection from spreading. The best toothache remedy is treatment from a dentist.

Although you may lose time or money getting toothache relief or caring for a tooth infection, treating it can be life-saving. If you lose a tooth to infection, your dentist will discuss tooth replacement options based on your oral health and budget. A partial denture, dental bridge, or dental implant is a tooth replacement option. Safeguard your well-being.

Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post.

What Is Causing My Toothache and Gum Pain?

Posted on January 26, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I don’t have a regular dentist, but for the past 2 months, my tooth and gums have been hurting and getting worse. Last Friday, a dentist took me as an emergency patient. After the exam, he only gave me something for pain. He said he wasn’t sure where the pain was coming from, and I needed to see a specialist. Why wouldn’t a dentist be able to figure out why my tooth and gums hurt? He just looked at my tooth. Would an x-ray have helped? Do I really need to see a specialist, or can I go to another dentist who takes same-day appointments? Nigel

Nigel – Pain in your tooth can come from an infection in the tooth or an infection in your gums. If an infection is both in your tooth and your gums, it might make it difficult for the emergency dentist to make that determination.

What Causes a Toothache and Gum Pain?

Possible causes of toothache and gum pain include:

Tooth infection – An infection in the root canals of a tooth can spread into the bone and tissue around the tooth, which help support and stabilize the tooth. A dentist can determine if the problem started in your tooth and spread to your gums and jawbone.
Gum infection – Another possibility is an infection that starts in the gums and spreads to the tooth. An advanced gum infection (periodontal disease) can leak into the tooth roots and up into the pulp, causing a severe toothache. Johns Hopkins Medicine confirms that gum disease damages tooth roots, and you will need gum disease treatment to smooth tooth roots.
Both are infected – Both your gums and tooth may be infected. If that is the case, a dentist needs to carefully review the history of your toothache, take an x-ray, and test your tooth’s sensitivity to pressure and temperature.

Schedule an appointment with a periodontist (specialist in the gums and supporting structure of the teeth). The periodontist can help you find a general dentist and coordinate your care.

Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post.

Should I Get This Root Canal Treatment?

Posted on June 5, 2021 by writeradmin.

I am in a pickle and not sure what to do. I had some trauma to a tooth about five years ago. The tooth is beginning to turn dark, though there is still feeling in the tooth and it is considered viable. At the moment, the dentist is saying that a root canal treatment is optional, but there is a faint, possible horizontal fracture. I have a choice between doing the root canal or cosmetics. What is the way for me to proceed?

Angie

Dear Angie,

I am puzzled by his statement that a root canal treatment is optional at this point. Either it is needed or it isn’t. Is the tooth infected? Then you need a root canal treatment. If the tooth isn’t infected, then you will not need it. Simple. Your dentist leaving you wondering gives me pause that you may need a different dentist.

About this possible horizontal fracture. If that is true, then a root canal would be problematic, as it could cause leaking. I would really like you to get a second opinion on this whole situation. I haven’t examined you or seen x-rays so it would be hard for me to do that for you.

A tooth can turn dark simply from trauma to the mouth, which you have experienced. The treatment for that, if the tooth is otherwise fine, is to do cosmetics. However, be careful who you get to do this. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, nor is it taught in dental school. You will want to seek out a dentist who invested a lot of time in post-doctoral training in cosmetic procedures.

The two cosmetic options in your case would be either dental bonding or a porcelain veneer. A veneer is more expensive, but will last longer. Before making a final decision, get that second opinion to know whether or not your tooth is actually fractured and if there is an infection.

This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.

I Have a Bump Behind my Tooth

Posted on August 21, 2020 by writeradmin.

I periodically get a bump behind my front tooth. Usually, they go away, but this one has been here for over a two days. Is this nothing to worry about or should I get it seen? My dentist didn’t mention anything last visit, but I’ve never had a bump stay this long before.

Dalton

Dalton,

If I were your dentist, the first thing I’d be looking for is gum disease. What you’ve described sounds like a pimple on your gums which can be an abscess. This is an infection. It can be an infection on your gums from gum disease or one spilling out from an infected tooth.

Sadly, some dentists, more than I care to admit, don’t screen for gum disease. That is the first thing I’d check. If it turns out you are showing signs, I would request a referral to a periodontist. These are gum disease specialists. Often this can sneak up on patients because the signs are invisible at first. If it is allowed to progress too far, it can advance enough that your adult teeth start to come loose. A periodontist can get your gums healthy much faster than a traditional dentist.

If it is a tooth infection, which means decay reached the pulp of your teeth, then the appropriate treatment is to have a root canal done. This cleans all the infected pulp out of the tooth. Often it requires a dental crown as well because the tooth becomes brittle.

Some patients are intimidated by having their gums worked on. This is especially true during gum disease because their gums are tender. If you have any concern or anxiety about this, you can always visit a periodontist who offers dental sedation options. This won’t knock you out, but does completely relax you and you will have a pain-free appointment.

This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.