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. This leaves deep pockets where bacteria can grow. If tartar builds up too much, or if food gets stuck in the pockets, pus forms.
Salt water is extremely effective in helping to heal gums affected by gum disease. Salt water can treat inflammation, ease pain, and reduce bacteria in the mouth and gums. Rinsing with salt water 2-3 times a day can be effective in battling a gum infection.
A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. It needs urgent treatment by a dentist. A dental abscess will not go away on its own.
What do swollen gums look like? Swollen gums usually have a reddish or purplish hue due to increased blood flow. They may also appear smooth or shiny, and they usually bleed.
Severe periodontitis: When periodontitis remains untreated, the disease becomes more severe. As bone loss continues, your teeth may become loose and can potentially fall out. In addition to bleeding gums, there's often pus and infection around your gum line, which can lead to chronic bad breath (halitosis).
In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults.
Choosing to ignore a dental abscess is extremely unwise and potentially life threatening. An infection in the tooth or gums can lead to: Infection of the surrounding bone. Facial bones, particularly the maxilla and mandible, do not tolerate the long-term presence of infection very well.
As soon as you notice a gum infection, you should consult with a dentist. Once gum infection is diagnosed, you will have numerous treatment options that will vary based on the severity of the gum infection.
Untreated gingivitis will progress into periodontitis, which is a more severe stage of gum disease. The infection and pockets deepen while eating away at your jaw until your teeth become loose and fall out.
Research proves a saltwater rinse containing 0.9 percent to 1.8 percent sodium chloride helps heal the gums. In addition, disinfectant properties are present in salt, helping kill harmful bacteria in the mouth while easing swelling and pain in the infected gums.
How long does it take to treat gingivitis? Patients who comply with their dentist's recommendations will often see their condition reduce dramatically within two or three weeks. More serious stages of gingivitis may take longer to see results.
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden. It starts with swollen, red, and bleeding gums.
Anyone who suspects that they have a gum infection should see their dentist as soon as possible. Even in the early stages of periodontal disease, such as gingivitis, it is important to see a dentist without delay to help prevent the issue from progressing.
Your dentist will likely perform an X-ray to determine the extent of the infection. If there's any suspicion that the infection has spread to other parts of the body, your dentist may also perform a CT scan.
Most forms of gum disease can be treated without antibiotics, but the biggest advantage of using topical antibiotics to help treat the disease is that they are directed to their specific target areas, thus the entire body is not affected.
Feeling Unwell
The first thing you may notice is that you start to feel unwell. That nagging toothache may turn into a nagging headache. The pain may also travel up your jawbone and into your ear. You may also notice that you start to feel fatigued like you are about to come down with something.
Moderate periodontal disease is the fourth stage of gum disease, and your gums are likely receded and sore. Teeth are more easily damaged, beginning to decay and deteriorate quickly at this point. Teeth may become loose and wiggly, and the jaw is beginning to become affected and infected, too.
1. Chronic periodontitis. The most common form of advanced gum disease is chronic periodontitis. It mostly affects adults and usually progresses slowly in the supporting tissues of teeth.
Gingivitis or periodontitis
Gingivitis is the most common cause of swollen gums. If plaque builds up on your gum line and teeth, over time it can become tartar (hardened plaque), which may lead to gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into a more serious infection called periodontal diseases (gum disease).
Antibiotic therapy
Common antibiotics used in the treatment of gum disease include products like minocycline HCl (Arestin®) or chlorhexidine (PerioChip®). Your periodontist can place these medications in the space between your gums and teeth (the periodontal pocket).
Without prompt and proper care, it can spread to local tissues, and with enough time, to the rest of your body. If the abscess doesn't drain, the infection may spread to your surrounding jawbone tissue, gum tissues, the soft tissues inside your cheek, or other areas of your head and neck.
Salt is a natural disinfectant that helps with gum disease in a few ways: It removes loose debris and cleans the teeth and gums. Reduces inflammation and swelling and soothes the gums. It helps to get rid of decay and plaques.
Salt draws water out of the tissues in a process called osmosis- causing a 'drying' effect. When the salt concentration is high enough, salt kills bacteria through effectively sucking the water out of the cell.