Do your gums feel irritated and swollen? Is there pus between your bone and gums? It is a gum abscess.

The bad news is that it will be extremely painful and may damage the teeth and bones.

The good news is that an immediate gum abscess treatment after you identify it may heal the infection without going for surgery.

If it is not treated promptly, your tooth may break severely, and a cyst may appear after extraction. You'll have to go under the knife to get rid of the cyst.

Therefore, we'll also teach you how to drain a gum abscess at home.

What is a Gum Abscess?

The formation of a pocket of pus by a bacterial infection is called a tooth abscess.

For various reasons, the abscess may form in different locations close to the tooth.

Gums around tooth roots can expand as pus from an infection travels from the tip of the root into the gums.

Depending on where the tooth is located, the infection may spread and result in swelling in the cheek, jaw pain, or pain in the floor of the mouth.

The body uses a lot of white blood cells to fight off an illness. Pus is the byproduct of your immune system, a build-up of germs and dead tissues.

The tissue can eventually burst, letting the pus escape. Serious, sometimes fatal infections can develop that spread to the airway.

Types of Gum Abscess

Here are the two types:

1.Periapical Abscess

A periapical abscess develops at the root's tip. An abscess of the periodontal ligament develops in the gums next to a tooth root.

A tooth abscess will be drained, and dentists will remove the infection. Your tooth may be saved with a root canal procedure.

But occasionally, it can be necessary to extract the tooth. Untreated dental abscesses can result in dangerous, potentially fatal consequences.

2.Periodontal Abscess

A periodontal abscess is not a specific type of periodontitis but rather a characteristic or symptom that can arise with any kind of periodontitis.

When pus builds up in the connective tissue wall of a pocket, a periodontal abscess develops.

Even though acute trauma may cause it, it is uncommon for a periodontal abscess to develop in the absence of severe periodontitis.

The patient may report throbbing that is alleviated by pressure, and the tooth may be sensitive to biting.

The swelling is often variable, but not always. Raised temperature, aches, fatigue, and lymphadenitis are possible.

When the illness is acute, these symptoms occur more frequently.

Learn More: Tooth Extraction Vs. Root Canal: Exploring Treatment Options

Factors That Increase the Chances of Gum Abscess

A dental abscess could be more likely if you have these factors:

Inadequate Oral Hygiene Practices: Your risk of dental issues can rise if you don't take good care of your teeth and gums, including not flossing and brushing twice daily. Tooth decay, gum disease, tooth abscess, and other oral and dental issues are possible problems.

Poor Diet: Frequent use of sugar-rich foods and beverages, such as sodas and candies, can cause dental cavities and develop into tooth abscesses.

Dry Mouth: Tooth decay risk may be elevated by dry mouth. It can be an adverse effect of specific drugs or aging-related problems.

3 Gum Abscess Treatment Options

The invasive treatments to remove the cyst and stop the infection from spreading further are:

Root Canal: To prevent another infection, this routine surgery removes the infected pulp from your tooth and fills the empty space with substance. The pulp is necessary for the tooth to grow, but once it reaches maturity, it can function without it. Your tooth should return to normal after the surgery, though a dental crown might be necessary to safeguard the root canal. With proper maintenance, the repaired tooth may last a lifetime.

Incision and drainage: Your dentist makes a tiny incision to release the pus from the abscess. Also, they may install a tiny rubber drain. Allowing the remaining infection to drain out by keeping the region open.

Tooth extraction: An abscessed tooth may sustain irreversible harm. In certain situations, your dentist may have to pull or take your tooth.

Now, let's figure out the gum abscess treatment you can do at home.

Learn More: 8 Easy-to-Follow Tips on How to Avoid Root Canal

How to Drain a Gum Abscess at Home

To alleviate the pain caused by the condition and safely get rid of the boil without increasing the chances of spreading the infection, you need a safe gum abscess treatment.

Thankfully, there are several methods to drain a gum abscess at home, including easy-to-find products.

Let's discuss the best gum abscess treatment for you:

1.Use Salt Mouth Rinse

For canker sores, irritation, or a sore throat, salt water rinse works miraculously to improve multiple oral issues.

In the initial stages, when you pop the gum abscess, it helps drain the abscess efficiently.

It increases the pH balance of the mouth and prevents the growth of bacteria. Hence, many people use it to get temporary relief from many issues causing inflammation.

This is a straightforward gum abscess treatment that you can easily perform twice or thrice daily.

It is effective in fixing the bad taste in the mouth as well.

2.Prepare Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash

This is another excellent gum abscess treatment to relieve the discomfort. Additionally, it helps lessen gum bleeding and plaque.

It can be used in many ways around the house and to treat small wounds, but its most well-known use is that it acts as an excellent mouthwash and prevents cuts from getting infected.

Prepare a mouthwash using a 1:1 ratio of hydrogen peroxide and warm water, then rinse your mouth with it.

3.Apply a Cold Compress

Whenever there is swelling anywhere on the body or jaw pain on one side, you have seen people rush to find a cold compress.

For a gum abscess treatment, a cold compress will reduce swelling.

You can make one for yourself by wrapping some ice in a towel. After that, gently press the cold compress onto the part of your skin that requires care. You can use it for 15-minute intervals.

4.Make Garlic Paste For Your Gums

Since ancient times, garlic has been used for various health benefits. It works well as a bacteria-killer and pain reliever in a gum abscess treatment.

Raw garlic contains a chemical called allicin, which has potent antibacterial and pain-relieving properties that can help treat or even eliminate tooth infections.

First, you need to make a paste by crushing a fresh clove of garlic. After that, rub the paste onto the area that is afflicted.

5.Oil Pulling

This method has traditionally been used by people to treat oral issues. Oil pulling is believed to remove toxins from your teeth and gums.

Aside from being a gum abscess treatment, it may be beneficial for conditions like bleeding gums, bad breath, and bacterial reduction.

Olive, sesame, and raw coconut oils are the finest for this technique.

You must do it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.

6.Use Essential Oils

Oils like clove, thyme, and oregano have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

They may lessen the pain and swelling when used as a gum abscess treatment.

To avoid causing more discomfort, make sure you dilute any essential oils with a carrier oil.

For that, combine one ounce of carrier oil with a few drops of essential oil of your choice. Then, transfer this blend onto a cotton swab, and for at least three minutes, gently press the cotton ball against the afflicted area.

Take out the swab or cotton ball. After applying the mixture for at least ten minutes, wash it off.

7.Rinse with Baking Soda

Another efficient gum abscess treatment includes using baking soda rinse.

This treatment contains antibacterial qualities and works well at eliminating plaque.

Use it to rinse your mouth for five minutes twice a day.

8.Tea Made with Fenugreek

This gum abscess treatment is popular due to its antimicrobial qualities. Fenugreek tea has been used to treat wounds and lessen inflammation.

Take one cup of water and slowly warm it in a pot before adding one teaspoon of powdered fenugreek to make fenugreek tea. Stir it thoroughly and allow the mixture to cool.

Once ready, apply a few drops of the mixture to the region that requires treatment using a cotton ball. You can do this up to three times a day.

Also, you can drink this tea two times a day if you don't want to use the first method.

9.Take Antibiotics

Your dentist may suggest medications to aid in your treatment.

It's crucial to understand that although this treatment may work for the elimination of any bacteria, it cannot eradicate the infection's root cause—the damaged tooth.

The use of antibiotics is a typical step in a gum abscess treatment.

Antibiotics used orally can eradicate pathogenic bacteria and prevent the infection from returning or spreading. They also lessen localized pain and swelling.

Yet, they cannot treat an abscess; they are not a substitute for dental procedures.

Saving Your Mouth From Gum Abscess

Simple adjustments to oral cleanliness and care may be sufficient to stop an abscess from developing in the first place, negating the need for an invasive dental procedure.

Preventing many other dental and oral health problems, people can try the following techniques to prevent dental abscesses:

Ideally, you should floss and brush your teeth twice a day, just after each meal.
Try using fluoride mouthwash or toothpaste to assist in reaching the periodontal pocket and under the teeth.
To minimize pain when brushing following treatment, use a high-quality toothbrush and replace it every three months. You can also try a soft-bristled brush.
Go to a dental clinic on a frequent basis to prevent issues from getting worse.
Refrain from using tobacco products or smoking tobacco.

There are many advantages to adopting these habits in your routine because maintaining good oral hygiene and receiving regular dental care are the keys to avoiding dental abscesses.

FAQs

How do you lessen the pain before a gum abscess treatment?

You can use saltwater rinse and painkiller medication to get through the phase of discomfort.

When should I see a doctor for a gum abscess treatment?

If you have a fever, facial swelling, increased heart rate, and difficulty swallowing the food, go to the doctor.

How long does it take to heal completely from the gum abscess treatment?

Since every person has a different case, the healing time also varies. Normally, it should get better in a few days.

Summary

From the above, you can select the best gum abscess treatment that you can do at home if you doubt an infection is in its early stages.

However, if you are suffering from unbearable pain in your jaw, neck, and ear, visit a dentist.

Professional cleaning, good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular checkups should be a mandatory part of your day to prevent complications.

To find a partner to manage your oral health, contact us!

Gum Abscess Treatment: Straightforward Remedies For Cure