A throbbing toothache can begin at any time and without any prior warning. It usually requires immediate attention to relieve the pain since it can interfere with normal daily activities. An abscess can form within the tooth or in the surrounding bone and soft tissues to produce pain and swelling. An accurate diagnosis is essential to finding the most effective remedy.
Endodontic Therapy
The dental pulp is the source of most toothaches, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This soft tissue located beneath the hard structures of the tooth contains nerve tissue, blood vessels and connective tissue. It can become inflamed as a result of tooth decay, trauma or repeated dental procedures. Severe inflammation can result in an infection of the pulp and cause an abscess in the bone, ligament and gum.
Dental X-rays, cold tests, visual inspection and tapping on the tooth with a metal object help diagnose this condition. A root canal treatment cleans the diseased pulp from the tooth and saves it from extraction, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A small opening through the crown of the tooth allows access to the diseased pulp tissue. Root canal instruments and disinfecting solutions clean and shape the space occupied by the pulp tissue. A root canal filling material such as gutta-percha, placed in the cleaned space, seals the root from future infection.
When the gum swells from the abscess, it may require lancing to remove the fluid. Non-narcotic analgesics usually control the pain from an abscess. An intense toothache may require codeine or another narcotic analgesic for pain relief. Antibiotics are usually not necessary unless the infection is more severe and threatening to spread.
Tooth Removal
Sometimes extensive destruction of the tooth or its supporting bone necessitates tooth extraction to treat the abscess, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A severely cracked tooth or extremely deep tooth decay results in unsalvageable teeth. The remedy for a space created in this situation is a dental implant or bridge.
Periodontal Therapy
Destructive inflammation affecting the periodontal ligament outside the tooth and its supporting bone results in periodontal disease, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This can result in an abscess and a painful tooth. The treatment for this involves thoroughly cleaning the outer surface of the root to improve the health of the periodontal ligament and the adjacent bone. Severe periodontal treatment requires surgical intervention to clear the abscess and return the tooth and bone to proper health.
Home Remedies
An abscessed tooth is a serious condition that requires proper and professional attention. Some cases are so severe that hospitalization becomes necessary, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For this reason, home remedies should be limited to palliative care. This can include pain medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen. Rinsing with warm saltwater can provide temporary relief from pain and swelling.
