Abscessed Tooth| Symptoms, Risk Factors and Natural Home Remedies For Abscess Tooth

Tooth Abscess- What is it?

A tooth abscess is an acute lesion that involves localization of pus in teeth and surrounding structures. It’s a highly dangerous and painful condition that may require medical intervention.

How is it formed?

It’s usually formed in 3 ways either through the infection of gum flap (pericoronitis), or supporting structures of teeth (periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone) or in the dental pulp known as a periapical abscess.

It may be caused because of concomitant infection with 4-6 different bacteria(e.g.: Actinomyces, Streptococcus viridans, etc) , they may cause dental caries that may erode enamel and dentin layers of teeth and cause invasion of bacteria into the pulp thus leading to killing of pulp tissue(necrosis)  and inflammation thereby causing the collection of pus and consequently abscess formation.

Risk Factors:

Poor oral hygiene, Bruxism, i.e., grinding and clenching teeth, high sugar diet, abnormal morphology of crown, a previously treated tooth with a root canal, if it wasn't properly sealed, may get re-infected. Wisdom tooth is the most susceptible to infection.

Symptoms: 

•    Dark discoloration of the tooth in contrast with the surrounding teeth, this happens because of the leached out necrotic pulp from the porous tooth layer.

•    Bad taste or Bad odor in the mouth

•    There is a pain in applying pressure when eating or pressing. It may spread from the root tip and may affect the gum and bone. The pain may be throbbing or pulsating; this is usually because of the spreading of infection.

•    Gums may be swollen; there may be a pimple like an appearance as it’s a raised swelling. If it gets ruptured, it’s known as “draining fistula.”

•    Pain in the jaw, swelling of face, jaw or lymph nodes. This is a signal of growing infection.

Home remedies for abscess tooth:

➤    Clove: Clove contains natural antibiotic properties which can help in fighting off the infection, and help in soothing the irritation and pain, because of the presence of Eugenol.

•    Take one teaspoon of clove powder; mix it with water to make a paste

•    And apply it to abscess for about 20-25 minutes.

•    Alternatively, clove oil can also be used with the help of a cotton ball.

➤    Garlic: This has an excellent antibiotic and anti-inflammatory action, thus help in treating tooth abscess. Also, its natural anesthetic property can help in warding off the pain.

•    Crush a garlic clove to make paste and directly apply to the affected area

•    Alternatively, you can use garlic and clove oil together

•    Keep for 20 minutes and rinse well.

➤    Turmeric and Salt: You’d probably already be aware of the excellent benefits of turmeric that include antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions. Salt is a good disinfectant.

•    Mix 2 teaspoon of turmeric and one teaspoon of salt with one teaspoon of clove oil to make a paste

•    Apply on abscess and leave for 30 minutes

•    Re-apply after every 3 hours

➤    Oil pulling: This is an ancient technique that has been used in Ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicines because it helps in removing bacterial colonies from between your teeth and gums.

•    Put about two tablespoons of Coconut oil, in your mouth

•    Pull and push it between your teeth.

•    For about 10 minutes, keep swishing more on the affected area.

•    Rinse with lukewarm water

➤    Apple Cider Vinegar: It has potent antiseptic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory action. However, it can sting when you apply it to the abscess because it contains acetic acid.

•    Mix 1 cup of lukewarm water to 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar

•    Swish it on abscess and around it.

•    Rinse thoroughly

➤    Tea Bag: Tea contains Tannins which are a great anti-inflammatory agent, therefore can reduce the bacterial growth.

•    In a cup of boiling, hot water put one black tea bag and leave it for 5 minutes

•    After taking it out of the cup, let it cool down.

•    Put this over the abscess for about 10 minutes.

•    Rinse thoroughly.

➤    Potato: Potato is of alkaline nature, therefore, doesn’t allow bacterial growth and helps in sloughing off of necrotic tissue.

•    Just place a raw potato slice, in the infected area and leave it overnight.

•    Rinse with lukewarm water thoroughly.

However it is to be kept in mind that home remedies for abscess tooth with a swollen face or without a swollen face can only provide symptomatic relief and maybe afford some anti-inflammatory benefit, but it’s highly unlikely that it can completely cure the abscess. Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you go to a dental specialist. Root canal surgery is the preferred choice of treatment, and it can completely eradicate the problem and prevent serious complications. A tooth abscess is a dangerous condition and can spread to other parts of the body if it spread to the lymph nodes, so it’s highly advisable to visit a doctor.