For an Abscessed Tooth, See the Dentist in Hillsboro

If you’ve ever had a toothache, then you know the pain can be severe. In some cases, the pain you feel is caused by more than just your tooth. An abscess is an infection at the root of a tooth or between the root and the surrounding gum tissue. This infection can be quite serious—even life threatening—and, therefore, demands immediate attention. If you or a loved one has a toothache, don’t play the waiting game. Contact the dentist in Hillsboro, Dr. Brandon Kearbey and Dr. Malinda Kearbey at The Dentists at Orenco Station, for immediate diagnosis and treatment.

How does an abscess happen?

An abscess usually begins with severe tooth decay; as this decay spreads deeper and deeper into your tooth, the pulp chamber and attached root canals fill with bacteria and become infected. Then, the infection can spread beyond the roots of your tooth to the surrounding gum tissue and even the bone structure that supports your teeth.

The Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth

While severe pain is the primary symptom of an abscessed tooth, there are other indicators, including:

• Tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold
• Pain when chewing or biting
• Fever
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Swollen gum tissue
• Swollen neck glands
• Visible drainage from the side of the tooth or gum
• A general feeling of malaise

Diagnosing and Treating an Abscessed Tooth

At The Dentists at Orenco Station, Dr. Brandon Kearbey and Dr. Malinda Kearbey will probe your teeth and take a digital x-ray in order to correctly diagnose an abscessed tooth. The abscess will show on an x-ray, as well as any bone erosion that the abscess may have caused. The abscess may need to be drained and the emergency dentist in Hillsboro will likely need to perform root canal therapy in order to eliminate the infection that lead to the abscess. During root canal, the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, disinfected and filled with a inert substance called gutta-percha that will prevent further infection. The tooth is then sealed and prepared for a crown. Drs. Kearbey will probably prescribe an antibiotic in order to further treat the infection.

Call the Dentist in Hillsboro Today

If you or a family member is experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms of an abscessed tooth, then please call the office of Drs. Kearbey in Hillsboro, OR. We can provide immediate care to restore your oral health.