HOW TOOTH ABSCESS CAN THREATEN YOUR HEALTH?

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HOW CAN TEETH ABSCESS THREATEN YOUR HEALTH?

If there are are gaps between your teeth and gums, the food you have eaten may accumulate between these gaps and cause an abscess to form.

An abscess is a purulent accumulation of inflammation. This inflammation is a dense, foul-smelling liquid consisting of white blood cells, dead tissue and bacteria. The cause of the abscess is usually infection caused by bacteria. Dental abscesses occur in two different types. These are:

1- An abscess that accumulates in the root of the tooth.

2- an abscess that forms in the gum. Abscesses that form in the roots of teeth occur due to lack of oral care and non-intervention in the caries that occurs. Abscesses on the gums, on the other hand, are formed here together with bacteria and tartar, due to the fact that oral care is not performed on a daily basis, the food residues left between the teeth are not decontaminated.

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WHAT CAUSES A DENTAL ABSCESS?

Most often, dental abscess develops as a result of a dental infection. Bacteria contained in dental plaques become infected and progress to the tooth or gum. If we list the general causes of tooth abscess, then:

Not taking care of dental cleaning: Not brushing your teeth and gums properly and regularly; this sets the stage for many dental problems such as caries, gum disease, and abscess.

Frequent consumption of sugary and carbohydrate foods, drinks: such foods and drinks accelerate the growth of bacteria and lead to tooth decay. Bacteria progress through decays, cracks or fractures in the teeth, causing the formation of abscesses.

Carious teeth: Neglecting the caries on your tooth increases the risk of bacteria progressing in this area and infection.
Fractures and cracks in the tooth enamel: As with caries, fractures and crack-like problems in the tooth enamel create a path for bacteria to the soft layer inside the tooth. Infection occurs when this layer is affected by bacteria, and an abscess occurs.

Food residues that accumulate in the teeth: If the teeth are not cleaned well, the food residues that remain between the teeth and gums on the basis for the formation of bacteria. Some gum disorders can speed up this process.

Damage to the tooth due to grinding or squeezing the teeth:

This is a slow process, but it can cause damage to the internal tissue of the tooth and cause abscesses.

– A weak immune system:

A weakened immune system due to an underlying health problem such as diabetes can set the stage for an abscess to form.

– Dental treatment failures:

Damage or problems that occur in the gum or the tooth itself due to previous dental treatment can set the stage for a dental abscess.

– Weakening fillers:

An outdated filler allows easy passage of bacteria and poses a risk of infection.

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HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Your dentist in Istanbul will diagnose the abscess tooth area with X-rays and a number of treatment methods. An X-ray usually shows the abscess very clearly what the condition of the teeth and gums is. Also, the diagnosis is made by sending ice and electric current to the tooth.

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HOW SHOULD IT BE TREATED?

For abscesses that form at the root of the tooth, canal treatment is usually performed. Every dentist can perform dental root canal treatment. But endodontists who are specialists in this business perform dental canal treatment. In some cases, canal treatments alone are also not enough. In very advanced cases, a surgical procedure may be required. If canal treatment in Istanbul and surgical treatment are not possible, as a last resort, the tooth can be removed and replaced with implant treatment. In abscesses that form on the gums, the area is first cleaned and the inside of the inflammation is drained. Then the gums and root surfaces of the tooth are cleaned so that the abscess does not recur again.

Even if there are cases when the abscess has descended with the use of antibiotics, if the underlying cause is not found and the main problem is not solved, if left untreated, the abscess will recur. Antibiotics for the treatment of abscesses are not enough. Antibiotics are used to reduce symptoms and facilitate treatment. That is why it is important to refrain from self-medication and continue your treatment with a doctor. In addition to root canal treatment, there are also surgical treatment practices for abscess treatments. These surgical procedures are performed by specialists in periodontology in Turkey. During the surgical procedures performed, the gum tissues are shaped and thinned. With the operation performed, it is facilitated to keep the area clean and protect it from infections.

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WHAT TO DO AFTER TREATMENT?

After cleaning the area, the dentist will ask for an x-ray of the area in the first six months after the cleaning period and check that the bone is healing in the area, and if infections have re-formed.

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IF FOOD RESIDUES REMAIN ON THE TOOTH

If there are gaps between the teeth and gums, the food you have eaten may accumulate between these cavities and cause an abscess to form. Such areas should be checked by the dentist and these areas should be closed with the filling process.

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WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO PREVENT IT FROM OCCURRING?

Do not neglect your daily dental care and frequent dentist checks to prevent dental abscesses from forming. You should be careful to follow the instructions given by your dentist one-on-one.

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WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IN CASES WHERE AN ABSCESS FORMS ON THE TOOTH?

Continue to take care of your teeth daily.

Gargle your mouth with warm salt water three to four times a day.

Do not use the abscessed part when chewing.

Get into the habit of flossing your teeth.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Do not go beyond the medications that your doctor will recommend.

Do not neglect the visit to the dentist.

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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The main symptom of a dental abscess is pain that begins suddenly and usually severely. The severity of the pain may increase within a few hours. In some cases, the pain can also hit the ear, jawbone, and neck. Swelling may occur on the face. The pain increases when the abscessed area is touched. A bad taste and bad breath occur in the mouth. Other symptoms of an abscess may also include sensitivity to hot and cold drinks, fever, a general malaise, difficulty opening in mouth, difficulty swallowing, and insomnia.

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President of Organ Transplant Center at MedicalPark Hospital Antalya

Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.

Physician's Resume:

Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.

Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.

In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.

Awards:

Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.

Certificates:

Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .

Professional Members:

American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.

Disclaimer:

Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Medically Reviewed by Professor Doctor Alper Demirbaş
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