Periapical Abscesses

During the coronavirus outbreak, we at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs are limiting our services to emergency treatment. However, this does not mean patients should hesitate to seek help for an emergency. One of the most urgent matters a dentist deals with is a periapical abscess, which is what happens when the pulp chamber of a tooth is infected. We wanted our patients to be able to recognize the signs of one and understand why they should seek care.

 

When there is an infection in the tooth’s pulp, a buildup of pus, called an abscess, forms at the tip of its root. Common infection symptoms include fever, swelling, throbbing pain, difficulty swallowing, and a foul taste in the mouth. The pulp chamber likely became infected because of a fracture in the enamel that allowed bacteria in, or because a bacterial infection on the tooth surface caused a deep enough cavity for the bacteria to spread to the pulp. If it is not treated, the infection could spread to the jawbone or the sinus cavities.

 

Treating a periapical abscess will require a root canal. This means that after the patient has been numbed, the infected pulp will be removed and the tooth will be resealed. They will also be prescribed antibiotic medication. In severe cases or when the infection recurs, it may be necessary to remove the tooth. If this happens, we can discuss replacement options with the patient, but ideally, patients can avoid abscess by wearing mouthguards when exercising and maintaining good oral hygiene.

 

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Dental.

National Facial Protection Month

April is National Facial Protection Month. We at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs are proud to have so many families rely on us for the care of their smiles. To ensure that athletes are taking as good preventive care as possible, we thought this would be the perfect time to discuss mouthguard use.

Mouthguards come in a variety of options, but it’s generally better to have one than not. However, it is in the wearer’s interest for it to be as well-fitted as possible. Not only will it provide better protection, it won’t need to be as bulky and shouldn’t cause difficulty breathing. Dentists can custom-fit mouthguards, but there are boil-and-bite models available in sports stores and through online retailers. The manufacturer’s website will provide information about how to care for it, but it should generally be kept dry in a case that is cleaned daily.

Most youth sports require athletes to wear mouthguards. It’s also a good idea to wear them while doing activities in which there is a high risk of falling, such as skating and cycling. Adolescents especially should keep in mind that their teeth are shifting position quickly, and that their mouthguards frequently need to be refitted. Updating a mouthguard may be a normal part of an orthodontic appointment.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Post-Extraction Swelling

We’re trusted tooth extractors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs. As an office that serves people of all ages, we’ve assisted lots of teenagers with wisdom tooth removal, ensuring they will have hygienic, healthily aligned bites. Although we strive to make our patients as comfortable as possible, some swelling after this procedure is normal. We want our patients to understand why so they’ll be more at ease and better able to recognize if something does go wrong.

When a tooth is extracted, the jaw bone will be briefly exposed before the blood clots and seals the socket. The immune system recognizes this as a wound and triggers inflammation. This process prevents harmful bacteria that may have entered the socket from spreading to the rest of the body and concentrates white blood cells where they’re needed. Generally, inflammation is proportionate to the complexity of an extraction, so extractions done with incisions can be expected to cause more swelling.

In the initial aftermath of an extraction, we advise patients to limit swelling by applying cold packs. They should follow the fifteen-on-fifteen-off rule: never put an ice pack on the skin for more than fifteen minutes and always allow fifteen minutes to pass between applications. Swelling should peak within forty-eight, after which the patient can apply the same procedure with hot packs. If swelling is still increasing after three days, the patient should call us for assistance. Red discoloration is a normal part of inflammation, but if the tissue near the surgical site turns black or white, the patient should seek emergency care. In most cases, swelling can be controlled through conventional means and over-the-counter pain medication is sufficient.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.