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What to Know About Gum Boil and Treatment Options
Do you know what gum boils are? These can be quite unpleasant and even a sign of a deeper underlying problem. That is why you should know all about the potential symptoms and problems that come with it.
Gum boils are quite common, and many people struggle with this issue. Also, it is not rare that people need emergency dentistry since it is the only way to address the issue as soon as possible.
If the pain is too intense, it is considered an emergency, and visiting the dentist should be your number one priority. And fortunately, there are great dentists you can find that will help you solve the problem in no time.
What Is Gum Boil?
Gum boils are among the most common dental emergencies. And they can be quite unpleasant. These boils are dental abscesses that contain a collection of pus, and they appear on the gum tissue for several reasons.
Two of the most common types of gum boil are periapical abscess and periodontal abscess. The difference between these two is the location. A periapical abscess will often develop on the tooth but is yet to break through the gum.
A periodontal abscess will appear on the gum and be located deeper within the tissue. The first thing many will notice is that it doesn’t look good, but more importantly, it can be a sign of a serious bacterial infection. And it can only get worse if not treated.
What Causes It?
The next thing you should know is what causes gum boils in the first place. Bacteria cause gum abscesses, and there are a few ways this problem can occur. One of the most common ways is nerve necrosis, but foreign bodies can also get between the gum and the tooth leading to an abscess.
Tooth decay can also lead to an abscess if left untreated, especially if the tooth is infected. On the list of things that can lead to gum boil are gum disease, gum surgery, tooth decay, trauma, and conditions that can affect the immune system.
In most cases, bacteria is the cause of the problem, and the only difference is how the infection started. It can also have an impact on the treatment methods, and the dentist will need to know how all of it happened.
Symptoms
Periodontal, periapical, and gingival abscesses will have their own symptoms, and they are not that hard to spot. One of the first signs that there is a problem will be bleeding from the affected area.
A person with an abscess might also experience fever, nausea, bad breath, and sensitivity to hot and cold, especially if there is a problem with tooth decay. Naturally, these symptoms are far from pleasant, and it is best to address the problem as soon as you notice these signs.
As you can probably see, many of these symptoms are similar to other conditions. And in the majority of cases, there is an underlying condition that caused the boil in the first place. Remember that these symptoms rarely disappear on their own, and you should address them as soon as possible.
Treatment Options
Many people wonder whether there are treatment methods for this, and the answer is yes. There are solutions you can use at home, or you can seek professional help. For in-home treatments, you can try rinsing with salt water, hydrogen peroxide, and garlic juice, applying tea tree oil, and so on.
But if you want an effective solution, the best option is to talk to your dentist. As for dental treatments, the goal will be to address the cause of the problem. The dentist might give you antibiotics for the infection.
It is also possible that they will go for deep cleaning, especially if there is a problem with the gums. Keep in mind that if the problem is caused by tooth decay, the dentist will need to solve it first. That also means that root canal treatments might be necessary, and it might even end up in tooth loss.
Prevention
As with any other part of dentistry, prevention is the best possible answer. Working on improving oral hygiene will help you avoid periodontal disease and other health problems. Naturally, poor dental hygiene will be one of the main reasons for developing a dental abscess or gum boils.
That means you should be brushing and flossing regularly and use an appropriate toothbrush, toothpaste, and everything else to help you avoid gum boils symptoms. Prevention is the key to avoiding not only this condition but other similar ones that may lead to abscesses.
Of course, tooth decay is also on the list, and focusing on oral hygiene will allow your teeth to remain healthy. You can always have regular checkups with your dentist, and they will be able to spot early signs of any oral problem.
Additionally, they can provide more details about the subject and give you pointers that will help you improve your oral health. So, even if you don’t have any symptoms, regular checkups are more than welcome.
What to Do?
When you notice symptoms and signs of gum boil, the first step should be to visit the dentist. In-home solutions might provide relief, but they are not likely to eliminate the problem. The only way to do that is to address the underlying condition that is causing it in the first place, and that will keep causing it unless taken care of.
And the sooner you act, the easier it will be for your dentist to solve the problem. These can be complex procedures, and as mentioned earlier, having a gum boil can lead to tooth loss. The longer you wait, the more problems it can cause, so try not to delay check-ups.
If you already have mentioned symptoms, you should schedule a visit to your dentist. Otherwise, just focus on your oral hygiene and prevention methods that will allow you to avoid the condition in the first place.
Emergency Dentistry in Griffith, IN
Gum boil can be a serious problem, and it can end in tooth loss. The best option, if you are looking to avoid it, is to visit an emergency dentist. If you live in Griffith, Indiana, you can visit Dr. Christopher Gall.
In situations like this, it is always best to act as soon as possible. And emergency dentistry is the way to go. After all, the last thing you need is to have to wait a couple of days to get rid of the pain. So, visit Doctor Gall, and start working on the solution.
