I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
If you have started to wonder whether you might have an infected tooth, you are going to want to make sure that it is begin taken care of as soon as possible. To help you decide if you truly need to set an appointment with your trusted dentist, you will want to review the following signs of an infected tooth.
Any Amount Of Pressure Hurts
Even the slightest amount of pressure on an infected tooth can cause someone to end up in a lot of excruciating pain. This is because the build up of the infection is pushing against the very sensitive nerves within the teeth. So, if you find yourself avoiding eating on a particular side of your mouth in order to avoid touching that tooth or you don't even like brushing it, you need to quickly make an appointment with a dentist.
Pus Is Leaking Out
If you have noticed some pus leaking out of the tooth itself, or from the gums surrounding it, you will want to make sure that you are taking the time to call for an appointment with your dentist. While you will want to keep your mouth clean, do not make the mistake of assuming that you have thoroughly cleaned out the infection and therefore do not need an appointment. The pus you see is just a small fraction of what is building up inside of your tooth or around your jaw. You need to have a dentist take care of the problem that is causing the infection. Otherwise, the infection can get worse and spread to your blood stream, causing a medical emergency.
You Have A Fever And Toothache
A toothache by itself is not always an indicator of an infection. However, if your toothache is accompanied by a fever, there is a good chance that you do indeed have an infected tooth. Make sure that you are explaining your symptoms to the receptionist when you call for an appointment. This way, you will be given the first available appointment instead of having to wait too long. If your regular dentist is not able to see you quick enough, you could always visit a nearby emergency dentist.
When in doubt, you will want to simply go in for a dental checkup. Your dentist will be able to examine your teeth, take x-rays, and let you know if you have an infection that needs to be taken care of.
Share27 September 2017
