| Many patients fail to see a dentist when they have | | | | Tooth abscesses are classified into one of three |
| an aching tooth because they are scared or simply | | | | categories. The most extensive of the three is the |
| can't afford to pay for any costly dental procedures. | | | | one that affects the bones, tissues, and other areas |
| What if you knew that decayed tooth could be | | | | of the mouth, which is called a periodontal abscess. |
| deadly. Would you get it fixed immediately? | | | | The second, called a periapical abscess, begins in the |
| Tragically, one mother discovered the truth the hard | | | | tooth's pulp. Lastly is a gingival abscess that starts in |
| way after her twelve-year-old son died after failing | | | | the gums. |
| to receive the proper treatment in time. | | | | Treatments For Tooth Abscesses |
| An Unnecessary Death | | | | The first step in the process to eliminate the |
| The Maryland boy died when the infection from his | | | | infection requires a dentist performing a root canal. |
| tooth subsequently entered his brain. Doctors | | | | The damaged tissue and infection is drained and the |
| performed numerous surgeries on the boy, but were | | | | pain eases. Afterwards, a crown can be installed over |
| unable to save him. The tragic event occurred | | | | the damaged tooth to help gain back a healthy smile. |
| because his mother was too poor to pay for dental | | | | The dental professional may also pull the tooth or cut |
| care and could not travel the three hours to find a | | | | the gums in order to drain off the infection. Finally, |
| dentist to treat him. Instead of the treatment costing | | | | the patient will be given painkillers to help ease the |
| Medicaid $80, the entire event is estimated to have | | | | pain and discomfort associated with this problem. If |
| cost well over $250,000 in addition to the loss of an | | | | you fail to seek treatment early enough, this infection |
| innocent life. | | | | continues to worsen until it enters your brain causing |
| What Is A Dental Abscess? | | | | death. |
| When the pulp inside a tooth becomes damaged or | | | | Tooth decay might seem minor, but it can get ugly |
| diseased and dies, it becomes infected from toxic | | | | very quickly. Regular visits to the dentist is one of |
| bacteria. It becomes painful and fills with toxic pus as | | | | the sure fire ways to identify dental problems and |
| it becomes increasingly inflamed. If the patient fails to | | | | get them treated before it is too late. Failing to do so |
| seek treatment, this infection begins to spread, | | | | can cause the treatment costs to balloon out of |
| affecting the root and the jawbone as it continues to | | | | control, further degrading the situation and putting |
| carry on throughout the body. The pain continues to | | | | your life at risk. If you are going to be afraid of |
| increase, but the patient also begins to experience | | | | something, consider being less frightened by the pain |
| swollen glands, discomfort, red swollen jaws and | | | | and keep the story of the twelve-year-old Maryland |
| gums, and possibly draining. | | | | boy fresh in your mind. |