Management of Acute Periodontal Abscess

A periodontal abscess is a dental emergency resulting from the accumulation of pus in the periodontal pockets. They can affect you regardless of whether you have periodontal disease or not. A dentist will recommend immediate management to avoid the problem affecting your gum tissues and bones. The following are the best management practices for acute periodontal abscess:

Draining of the Abscess

The first step in managing a periodontal abscess is the drainage of the pus. Draining helps to eliminate the infection and prevent further infections. The dentist will cut an incision on the gum abscess. Your dentist will use a local anesthesia product during drainage to prevent pain.

Extraction of Damaged Teeth

The dentist will scrutinize to check whether you have damaged or decayed teeth. Tooth decay is a common cause of periodontal abscess. To prevent the recurrence of the problem, teeth extraction is quite crucial.

Dental Bone Grafting

Your dentist can use x-rays to check whether the gum infection and abscess have caused the wearing down or weakening of the jawbone. Depending on the extent of the damage, they will recommend a bone grafting procedure. The graft helps to regenerate the gum tissue and strengthen your jawbone. The graft is also essential to rebuild your bone and ensure you are a good candidate for implants, especially after tooth extraction.

Root Canal Treatment

A gum abscess can also cause severe damage to the pulp of your teeth. The pulp contains nerves, tissues, and blood vessels. If there is an infection in your pulp, a root canal treatment effectively eliminates the damaged part.

Antibiotics and Pain Medication

A periodontal abscess often occurs due to bacterial infection. Antibiotics can help to eliminate the infection. The drugs also help to offer prevention and reduce the recurrence of the infection. In cases of severe pain, the dentist will also prescribe painkillers.