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Abscessed Tooth: Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Children | Dentist Mumbai

A dentist attempts to examine a young childs teeth
A dentist attempts to examine a young childs teeth (Photo credit: World Bank Photo Collection)

OK! So the thought of an abscessed tooth sure sends shivers down your spine and the images of the dentist’s chair flashes in front of your eyes. Too dramatic, huh? But let there be no confusion here: visit to the dentist is a preferable no-no, especially to a child of 4 who doesn’t quite know why his tooth is hurting even after the regular “dhishum-dhishums” in the mornings.

 

English: (Tooth with extensive evidence of den...
English: (Tooth with extensive evidence of dental carries. (left), leading to eventual extraction.(Right) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Let’s get down to the root of it and try to get a better picture of an abscessed tooth! Sharing this with your child will help them address dental infections more positively.

 

What is an Abscessed Tooth, really?

 

“A dental abscess, or tooth abscess, is an accumulation of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. The abscess typically originates from a bacterial infection, often one that has accumulated in the soft pulp of the tooth.”

Source Med News

Now that we are aware of what an abscess looks like, we can surely understand its,

Milk teeth of a nine year old boy, showing too...
Milk teeth of a nine year old boy, showing tooth fusion. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 

  • The pain may be described as extreme and growing but just putting pressure or warmth on the tooth may not be enough.
  • In some cases, a tooth abscess may perforate to the bone and start draining into the surrounding tissues creating local facial swelling.

However when it comes to children one doesn’t know for sure the ways to avoid a dental abscess. With their random eating habits and general hatred for hygiene one sure needs this cheat sheet in case of an abscess.

 

So here is the ultimate cheat-sheet for children:

 

  1. Apply an ice compress for up to 20 minutes several times a day to reduce pain and relieve swelling.
  2. Have your child rinse his or her mouth with warm salt water to reduce the pain.
  3. Have your child brush his or her teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristle toothbrush. Children that are resistant to daily oral care may respond to gold star charts and other rewards for good oral hygiene.
  4. Have your child eat a healthy diet and avoid sugary beverages.
  5. And last but not the least, talk to your child who is naturally terrified of the dentist and explain to him that no harm will be done and that all the germs must be removed, so that the pain to go away.

 

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