When a tooth becomes infected, you could experience pain when eating, or swelling near the tooth. Unless treated, this could lead to poorer oral health, and even a higher risk of tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Newhall, CA, dentist talks about our emergency treatments and how we address issues like dental infection.
The Causes (and Warning Signs) of an Infected Tooth
An infection happens when harmful bacteria makes contact with your tooth’s nerve center, the inner pulp. This could happen when a tooth is cracked or broken, or a as result of an advanced case of tooth decay. Cavities form when plaque buildup coats the teeth and weaken the outer enamel, which could occur as a result of a diet high in sugar combined with poor brushing and flossing. As an infection develops, you may experience a high risk of tooth sensitivity, toothaches, pain when biting or chewing, swelling near the tooth, or even a discharge from it. Don’t ignore these warning signs, please let us know as soon as possible.
Treatment Options
For a cavity, we could remove tooth decay and then place a filling, made from a metal-free composite resin we can shade to match the color of the tooth. However, for an infection, we may suggest a root canal procedure. After we administer a local anesthetic to ensure you feel comfortable during the procedure, we open the tooth and remove the infected tissues from within. We then add a restorative filling material and cap the tooth with a crown. Not only will the crown protect the tooth, but we often create them from materials like ceramic, which is durable and able to be shaded to match the color of surrounding teeth.
Our Health and Safety Protocols
We know that heading outside of the home could feel nerve-wracking, but rest assured we’re taking steps to protect the health and comfort of our patients. For example, in between each patient visit we will be cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces throughout the office and waiting room. We will also schedule visits to ensure you don’t share the waiting room with others. Of course, we’ll be wearing masks and gloves as well, and following strict health and safety protocols. We want to ensure our patients and team members are comfortable and safe. If you have any questions about treating issues like decay or infection, or about our health and safety measures, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Restorative Treatment?
With emergency dentistry, we can address everything from broken teeth to decay and more. To learn more about restoring smiles to optimal health and function, please schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.