How to Manage the Pain of an Abscess Until We Can Treat It
Posted on 1/15/2019 by Dr. Chapko
Most people realize that if they have an abscess in their teeth or gums, they need to get to our offices to get treatment.
The problem is that it is not always possible to get to the office right away. Some people may procrastinate getting to the office for one reason or another. Until a person gets to our office for treatment, they may want to take a few steps to help manage the pain.
What is an Abscess?
People often confuse the pain from a cavity in a tooth to the pain from a tooth abscess. Both types of pain are not something to ignore, but ignoring an abscess can lead to many serious health issues. An abscess forms when pus collects in a pocket in the gums or around the teeth. The pus is the result of an infection and bacterial growth in the gums or around the teeth.
Manage the Pain Until you get to our office, you need to manage the pain. Whether that means you need something for a few hours or for a longer period of time, knowing what to do can help avoid a lot of misery. These are some of the way to manage the pain.
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Warm Salt Water - Swishing warm salt water around the mouth and around the abscess can help in a few ways. It can help remove any food stuck in the gums and it can help reduce the swelling that cause the pain. You can use this method several times a day until you get to our office.
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OTC Pain Relievers - Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin can all help manage the pain of an abscess. Make sure to swallow these medications and do not allow them to sit on the affected area.
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OTC Anesthetics - These products can help mask the pain from the abscess. Use them according to directions for the best results.
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Cold Compress - One of the oldest methods still works. Holding a cold compress can help reduce swelling and pain.
Using these steps could help manage the pain and may allow some people to try to avoid seeking treatment. This is not something we ever recommend. Left untreated, an abscess can cause many problems.
It is important to get help as soon as possible even when you can manage the pain. Do not wait, contact our offices to schedule your appointment today.
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Most people realize that if they have an abscess in their teeth or gums, they need to get to our offices to get treatment. 
