Symptoms and Treatments for Acute infection, abscess, or swelling in kids

An abscessed tooth can occur at any age. It can be a severe condition that, left untreated, can progress into a painful and potentially life-threatening infection throughout the whole body. In kids, infections and abscesses in the mouth can be particularly harmful because their immune systems haven’t yet fully developed. If your child is experiencing an acute infection, abscess, or swelling, Dr. Mona Houshiar and the team of pediatric dental professionals at Mona Dental for Kids in Spring, Texas, are here to help. We use the most current technologies and methods to diagnose and treat your child, so they can get out of pain and back to their daily life.

Signs of an abscess

An abscess is an infection that occurs deep in the gums and surrounding tissues of a tooth. While it can have various causes, the most common reason an abscess develops is an untreated cavity. Once an abscess has formed, it is typically painful and is often considered an emergency because the infection can quickly spread to the rest of the body. Some of the symptoms of an abscess include:

  • Sharp or throbbing pain in the mouth
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Swelling in the neck or jaw
  • Pain when chewing
  • Fever
  • A bitter taste in the mouth
  • Bad breath
  • A pimple-like nodule on the gums
  • Draining pus

In more severe cases, your child may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Little upset child telling the doctor about the dental pain

Diagnosing and treating abscesses

Diagnosing an abscess can be done visually or with the help of an x-ray. The treatment for an abscess depends on where it is located and the type of tooth. Baby teeth are usually extracted, and then the abscess is drained. In contrast, permanent teeth typically require a surgical drainage procedure and root canal therapy on the tooth, then topped with a dental crown to protect it from further damage. In some cases, oral antibiotics are also needed to help eliminate the bacterial infection and prevent it from spreading to the surrounding tissues.

Prevention of abscesses

At Mona Dental for Kids, we emphasize preventing oral health problems before they even have a chance to start. With good home hygiene and regular visits to the dentist for cleanings and check-ups, we can monitor your child’s oral health and treat cavities before they have a chance to progress into an abscess. If you are in the Spring, Tomball, Woodlands, Champions, Conroe, or surrounding areas, call our office at (832) 617-1111 to schedule your child’s appointment today.