When a cavity remains untreated, or a tooth suffers a severe injury that isn’t addressed, the tooth may develop an infection or possibly a serious abscess. To protect the smile from tooth loss and major discomfort, treatment is needed. Your El Paso, TX, dentists can provide treatment in our office to address an infected tooth with endodontics.
The Cause of Dental Infection
How does a tooth become infected in the first place? The issue occurs when harmful bacteria makes contact with the inner pulp, a collection of living tissues at the center of the tooth. The pulp keeps your tooth alive and healthy. An untreated cavity or damaged tooth could expose the inner dentin and pulp to bacteria. Eventually, the infection could cause the pulp to die, which means the tooth is effectively killed and must be removed to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth or into the jawbone. Warning signs of an infected tooth include toothaches, pain when eating or biting down, soreness in the face or jaw, swelling near the tooth, headaches, fever, or a discharge from the aching tooth.
In-House Endodontics
Don’t ignore the warning signs discussed above, instead see us as soon as possible for treatment. We will begin by administering a local anesthetic, as well as dental sedation for our nervous patients. Our team opens the tooth to remove the infected tissue from within and then cleans the interior. We will fill the tooth with a special restorative material and the final step involves placing a custom-made and lifelike crown, which protects the tooth. Often, we can perform the entire procedure in one visit, restoring the health, function, and beauty of your smile.
Protecting Your Smile
To help safeguard your smile from infected teeth, be sure you attend regular checkups and cleanings every few months. We can then examine your smile and watch for the early stages of initial decay and address the problem before you experience the risk of a painful infection. We also clean the teeth to remove plaque buildup, further safeguarding smiles both young and old against cavities and infected teeth. Daily care also helps, so be sure you brush your teeth twice a day and floss every night before bed. You should also cut back on sugary foods and drinks as well, taking the steps to help protect your smile from serious complications. If you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a checkup, then contact our team today.
SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO OFFERS ENDODONTIC CARE
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, we offer an array of general, cosmetic, and restorative care all in-house. If you have questions about our approach to family dental care, then please call our East El Paso location on N. Zaragoza Road at 915-849-9000!