How can you make a infected tooth feel better?

Answer 1

There are many types of dental infections. Making it feel better depends what is causing the infection and which pathogens are involved. A dentist uses an oral exam and x-rays to figure out the cause and determine the best treatment. Probably the two most common dental infections (abscesses) that cause swelling and pain are a necrotic pulp (dead nerve) inside the tooth or a periodontal (gum) infection in the sulcus around the tooth. If a nerve dies, there are two choices, extract the tooth or do a root canal. If the gums are infected, the site needs to be curetted and irrigated. After the appropriate dental treatment, oral infections with facial swelling need to be treated promptly with antibiotics and followed closely until they resolve. If they get out of hand, they can result in hospitalization and possibly death. Until you can get to a dentist, try using cold. Either an ice pack or swishing or holding ice water in your mouth. Sometimes this will make it feel better, other times it will make it feel worse. If it makes it worse, try a hot pack or hot water in your mouth. Over the counter pain medications like Tylenol or Advil can help a bit if you can safely take them and if they are taken according to recommendations. Avoid high doses of aspirin since it can prolong bleeding if the tooth must be extracted.