Left untreated, tooth decay inevitably continues to spread. In time, the bacterial decay can penetrate the pulp and root of the tooth. If the root becomes infected, it can spread into the gums, causing a pocket of infection. This abscess can cause pain and even lead to a dangerous blood infection known as septicemia.
To prevent this from happening, your dentist, Dr. Stephen T. McInerney, might need to extract the tooth and excise the abscess. Many people choose to be sedated through the duration of the procedure. So, you will need to arrange to have a friend or family member drive you home afterward.
Once all infected tissues have been excised, Dr. Stephen T. McInerney will suture your gums. Then, he will likely prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat any lingering infection in your blood stream. A prescription for pain medication might also be included so you can be more comfortable during the recovery process.
For the first couple of days, the incision in your gums might weep a little blood. This is to be expected. You can control the bleeding by lightly biting down on some rolled up sterile gauze. Once the bleeding stops, you can lightly rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater.
While your gums are healing, you should avoid chewing food on that side of your mouth. You shouldn’t drink through a straw as the suction can pull blood clots loose.
If you have a tooth suffering from severe untreated decay in Bingham Farms, Michigan, you should not delay in calling 248-540-9191 to schedule an appointment at Root Canal Specialists, PC.