Gum boils or gum abscesses are major signs that your teeth are suffering from a deep infection. These unsightly boils are filled with pus and painful once touched or bumped. If you have gum abscesses, you will have a difficult time eating your favourite foods.
But don’t worry – gum abscesses are manageable. You just need to know their real nature and how to manage them effectively. It’s also important to listen to your dentist’s advice.
The Types of Gum Boils
Gum boils are divided into two main types – periodontal abscess and periapical abscess. Your dentist can easily figure out what type of gum boil you have. Basically, periodontal abscess forms in the gum tissue, while periapical abscess forms within the tooth itself. A periapical abscess is usually more serious and can be resolved by root canal treatments and other advanced dental procedures.
Here are some of the common symptoms of gum boils:
- gum pain and gum tenderness
- reddening and swelling gums
- abscess bleeding
- bad breath
- earache, nausea, and fever
Your dentist’s goal is to prevent the spread of the infection caused by abscesses. A root canal treatment is advisable if the gum infection has already affected multiple teeth. The procedure is also useful if there’s deeper tooth damage in your upper or lower jaw.
How to Deal With Gum Boils Properly
There are diverse ways to deal with gum infection and to prevent the appearance of other abscesses. Practically, dentists will advise the use of antibiotics to control bacterial growth and stop the infection. Topical treatments are only used to alleviate the pain and sensitivity caused by the abscesses.
A deep cleaning procedure is another direct solution that deals with plaque removal. This procedure can also promote continuous gum healing and can be boosted by effective oral care. Dental draining is a follow-up procedure meant to drain the pus from the abscesses in your gums.
How to Manage Gum Abscesses At Home
Home care plays a vital factor in terms of pain management. The first thing that you have to improve your brushing and flossing habits. You need to brush and floss at least twice a day to prevent the formation of gum abscesses and reduce plaque buildup. However, if you already have gum abscesses, you need to be extra careful. Be gentle, and avoid bumping the abscesses so they won’t bleed.
Nutrition is crucial to gum boil management. You must avoid sugary drinks (like sodas and fruit juices) and processed foods as much as possible. This is not easy, especially if you’re used to consuming large amounts of sugar. Let go of sodas – they can only make your gum infection worse. Smoking is also a big risk factor. Keep in mind that a stick of cigarette can affect your immune system and decrease the potency of gum treatment medicines.
Mouthwash can help in bacterial control though you shouldn’t rely on it all the time. If you constantly use mouthwash, your gums will be exposed to dryness, inflammation, and irritation. This defeats the purpose of the mouthwash. A safer alternative is a dental saltwater rinse. Just mix a teaspoon of salt and a cup of warm water. Then you can swish it all over your mouth for at least 40 seconds. Repeat the procedure for up to 3 times per day to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Hydrogen peroxide is a popular choice among dentists, but you need to be careful in mixing it. If you do the mixture correctly, hydrogen peroxide can control bacterial growth and reduce most instances of pain and gum tenderness. You should also check out natural dental rinses featured online. Remember, these dental rinses are better than commercial mouthwash and they won’t cause mouth dryness or gum irritation.
Conclusion
Gum boils require immediate attention. Don’t wait for too long because gum boils can lead to long-term teeth damage and other health complications.
Here at KW Dental Emergency – Fairway Dental Urgent Care Clinic, we will help you deal with gum abscesses and other dental problems.
Contact us today if you need a gum abscess consultation or treatment!
FAQs
A gum abscess is never something to take lightly, as it is a clear sign your teeth have a serious infection. The infection will spread to other teeth without treatment and cause severe dental issues. Bacterial infections are also known to cause bone erosion if left long enough, meaning you could lose teeth.
Should I worry about a gum boil? ›
Gum boils require immediate attention. Don't wait for too long because gum boils can lead to long-term teeth damage and other health complications.
When should I be worried about a gum abscess? ›
If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
What happens if you ignore a gum abscess? ›
If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications. However, once this has happened, death can occur quickly. Factors like older age, having diabetes, or being immunocompromised can increase your risk of complications from a dental abscess.
Can a gum abscess be harmless? ›
Your dentist can drain the pus and remove the infection, reducing the risk of complications. But if left untreated, a gum abscess can worsen and lead to a potentially life-threatening infection. Consult your dentist if you develop any pain, swelling, or discharge in your gums.
Do gum boils go away naturally? ›
If you have a gum boil, you'll need to see your dentist for treatment. At-home treatments will help ease your symptoms until you seek professional care, but they won't treat the root cause.
Do gum boils need antibiotics? ›
One type is more serious, and it forms closer to the tooth. The underlying infection requires prompt medical attention and, often, a root canal. Untreated gum infections can spread to other areas of the body. Typically, antibiotics and dental procedures are necessary to treat gum boils.
How long can a gum abscess go untreated? ›
It can take weeks or months for the infection to spread — and it's impossible to know exactly how long that will take. Because tooth abscesses don't go away on their own, it's critical that you see a dentist as soon as possible.
Do all gum abscesses need antibiotics? ›
If the infection is limited to the abscessed area, you may not need antibiotics. But if the infection has spread to nearby teeth, your jaw or other areas, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading further.
Is it OK if a gum abscess bursts? ›
An untreated gum abscess can lead to complications such as tooth loss and chronic pain. It can also contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory health issues. Therefore, a gum abscess popped by itself should be treated by a dentist promptly.
Dental abscesses are often painful, but aren't always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It's important to get help as soon as possible, because abscesses don't go away on their own. They can sometimes spread to other parts of the body and make you ill.
Is a gum abscess an emergency? ›
A gum abscess may sound like an emergency, but in reality, it's rarely life-threatening and can be treated at home with basic over-the-counter remedies. The following article will explain what gum abscesses are, what causes them, and how you can get relief from them quickly and effectively at home.
What are the first signs of sepsis from a tooth abscess? ›
A persistently high fever, dizziness, lightheadedness, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion, and digestive problems are potential signs of sepsis and should be treated as a medical emergency.
What is the fastest way to get rid of a gum abscess? ›
Antibiotics. Antibiotic medications are another key part of the standard treatment process for a gum abscess. Oral antibiotics can kill the bacteria causing the infection and keep the infection from spreading or reinfecting the area. This may also reduce swelling and pain in the area.
What does a severe gum abscess look like? ›
A periodontal abscess is a pocket of pus in the tissues of the gum. It looks like a small red ball pushing out of the swollen gum. An abscess can occur with serious gum disease (periodontitis), which causes the gums to pull away from the teeth.
Is a gum boil always an abscess? ›
Also known as an abscess, a gum boil is a swollen lump that develops on your gums. Poor dental hygiene allows for food particles, plaque and decay to build up, creating the infection that forms a boil. While finding a lump in your mouth can be concerning, it is rarely a symptom of oral cancer.
How do dentists treat gum boil? ›
Treating a Gum Boil or Abscess
- Antibiotics can be prescribed. ...
- Alternative treatments include extraction of teeth in case of inadequate prognosis, basic treatment (incision, drainage and debridement) with systemic antibiotics.
When an infection occurs, bacteria can move out of the tooth to the bone or tissue below, forming a dental abscess. A dental infection can lead to sepsis.
Does a gum boil need to be drained? ›
In most cases, your dentist will give you antibiotics to stop the infection. He or she may need to cut open (lance) the abscess so that the infection can drain. This should relieve your pain.
Can a gum boil make you feel ill? ›
Dental abscesses are often painful, but aren't always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It's important to get help as soon as possible, because abscesses don't go away on their own. They can sometimes spread to other parts of the body and make you ill.
