You might encounter having gum boils or gum abscesses when your teeth are unfortunately affected by a deep infection. These unpleasant boils are filled with pus and are very painful when you touch them.
It’s a frustrating thing to get since you will have a hard time eating, and it can impact your daily activities. However, solutions are available to manage gum boils or gum abscesses.
You can opt for home remedies to treat them as long as you have the correct information. It is also advisable to get a dentist appointment if you are unsure of what to do or think it is a more severe situation. Here, we talk about details surrounding this unwanted matter.
Gum Boils and Their Types
Gum boils can be categorized into two main types: the periodontal abscess and periapical abscess. The main difference is that periodontal abscess forms in the gum tissue while periapical abscess forms within the tooth.
A periapical abscess is typically worse, where you would need actual dental procedures to treat it. With your dentist’s aid, you can also easily know the type of gum boil you have.
The most common symptoms of gum boils are pain around the gum, gum tenderness, reddening and swelling of gums, bleeding, bad breath, earache, nausea, and fever.
When coming to the dentist for treatment, the goal would be to stop the infection from spreading. If it has already gotten to multiple teeth, a root canal treatment may be necessary to solve your problem.
What to Do with Gum Boils
Many solutions are offered to deal with gum boils and avoid other abscesses from forming. Dentists usually advise antibiotics to control or stop the spread of bacteria and infection. Immediate, simple treatments are also available to ease the pain temporarily.
An example of a more complex dental procedure would be a deep cleaning where plaque removal is involved. This will improve gum healing and can be enhanced by using recommended oral care.
As mentioned, pus will also be present from the abscesses in your gums, and dental draining is a procedure that would empty the pus.
Home Care and Remedies
Prevention is still the best thing to do. There are many home care procedures that you can practice regularly to avoid gum boils. Improve your brushing and flossing if you haven’t yet. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day will significantly help prevent gum abscesses and minimize plaque buildup. But if you already have gum abscesses, make sure to be very cautious when doing so. Be careful and avoid abscesses to prevent any bleeding.
Looking after your health and what you consume is also an important step. Avoid drinks high in sugar, like sodas and citrus juices. If you can, it’s best to take processed foods off your food list. Prevent yourself from smoking as this would affect your immune system and reduce the potency of gum treatment medicines for you.
If you use mouthwash, keep in mind that it is not that good to constantly use, even if it helps in bacterial control. Continuous use of mouthwash means your gums will experience dryness, inflammation, and irritation.
What you can do as an alternative is a dental saltwater rinse. If you opt for hydrogen peroxide, be extra careful in mixing it. Hydrogen peroxide can control bacterial growth and minimize pain and gum tenderness if you do it right.
Conclusion
Gum boils can be very frustrating. If you, unfortunately, have it, make sure to take action immediately. These abscesses can lead to permanent teeth damage when left untreated and might result in more severe health complications. Consult with your dentist to save your teeth!
If you need an emergency dentist in North Carolina, turn to Dr. Thomas E. Cooke Family Dentistry. We are committed to improving your oral health through superior dental care services. Make an appointment now!
