The purulent root inflammation
definition
When there is inflammation, the immune system tries to fight the offending bacteria and forms pus - this is also the case with tooth root inflammation.
Here a rapid increase in pus often leads to severe swelling.
But why does pus form and why does it develop more often at warmer temperatures? What consequences can disregarding the swelling have and when should the dentist be seen?
causes
The formation of pus in a tooth root inflammation is always a sign that the inflammation has taken an acute course. This means that the inflammation increases rapidly and is very potent. Pus is formed. Our immune system reacts to the inflammation and more white blood cells reach the site of the reaction. The bacteria responsible for the inflammation are destroyed by granulocytes and these dead immune cells cause the pus to turn yellow.
Read more on the topic: Root inflammation
As the bacterial cells multiply, more and more granulocytes are attracted and metabolized - the pus swelling grows. This pus swelling is called an abscess. An abscess always describes an encapsulated cavity filled with pus.
Read more on the topic: abscess
This growth is achieved more quickly at warmer temperatures, as inflammatory cells multiply better and much faster when heated. Acute inflammation develops pus. Those affected who suffer from tooth root inflammation, but who do not have this secretion, have chronic inflammation. Although this is not completely inactive, it does not tend to multiply quickly. The process is much more tedious. Nevertheless, any chronic inflammation can become acute, for example due to a rise in temperature. The transition is fluid.
Find out more about: Symptoms of tooth root inflammation
Concomitant symptoms
Accompanying the swelling (Tumor) and the Feeling of pressure are the typical signs of inflammation. The swelling may develop outward so that it is visible. If the lower jaw is affected, it can no longer be palpable due to the swelling. The swelling hurts ("Dolor"), feels warm ("Calor") on and blushes("Rubor").
It can also be a Function restriction ("Functio laesa") of the affected area. This can mean that the patient is experiencing severe discomfort Swallowing process developed. In the worst case, the inflammation spreads to the throat area and obstructs the airway.
The patient has the feeling of being unable to breathe and can even suffocate. In this case, readiness to act is required. The person concerned must immediately undergo dental treatment, if necessary also to the emergency room. The swelling can also develop down the neck and move towards the heart. This condition is acutely life-threatening.
If no swelling has formed, the inflammation can also develop a so-called fistulous duct, this begins at the site of inflammation and ends either inside the oral cavity or can also end outside the oral cavity. The inflammation always seeks the path of least resistance. Pus is constantly released through the fistula, which is why no pressure builds up. The exit of the fistula itself can also be sensitive to touch.
therapy
After the diagnosis has been made, the dentist anesthetizes the affected swollen area and tries to drain the pus so that the pressure that has developed is relieved and the so-called abscess is emptied. The dentist achieves this with a relief incision, an incision. It cuts below the swelling and the pus drains immediately as soon as access to the abscess is made.
A gauze strip with a medication is inserted into the cavity. This strip is changed daily at the dentist until the swelling has completely receded. In addition, the dentist prescribes an antibiotic in parallel with the surgical therapy, which is supposed to destroy the bacteria and free the body of the infection more quickly.
Read more on the topic: Treatment of root inflammation
Furthermore, the tooth whose inflammation of the tooth root caused the abscess must in most cases be extracted (tooth extraction) if root canal treatment is no longer possible. After the wound has healed, the resulting tooth gap can then be prosthetically restored with a bridge, an implant or a crown.
Read more on the topic: Tooth extraction
diagnosis
Purely diagnostically, purulent tooth root inflammation can often be identified by swelling. This can be manifested inside or outside the mouth. Furthermore, the patient feels a strong feeling of pressure, since soft tissue is displaced by the increase in the pus secretion. Palpation of the affected area is very painful and it turns red.
The dentist creates an X-ray image of the affected region as a diagnostic aid to identify the causative tooth.
Duration
The duration of a purulent abscess cannot be categorized across the board. There may be cases in which a large abscess forms within 1-3 days, in others it takes 2 weeks to be felt at all by the person concerned. That depends on how strong your own immune system is to defend itself against the inflammatory reaction and how potent the bacteria are. The weather can also play a role. In the cold winter, inflammation will develop much more slowly than in the warmer seasons.
An abscess does not heal on its own and always requires treatment by a dentist.
Home remedies
Home remedies definitely cannot cure or regress the abscess; they can only alleviate the symptoms and create time if necessary. A home remedy that should be mentioned is that Cooling compress. It makes sense to cool the swelling, because warm bacterial cells multiply and spread faster and the cold creates an environment that bacterial cells do not prefer. The swelling will not increase with regular cooling, once an hour for about 10 minutes.
However, constant cooling can also be harmful, as it causes the blood vessels to contract and the area is poorly supplied with blood. The body reacts to this and increases the blood pressure, which warms the body and creates an optimal environment for the bacterial cells to multiply. Therefore, controlled cooling is positive, but permanent cooling is contraindicated.
Tinctures and ointments made from clove, rosemary and similar herbs can relieve the pain caused by the swelling of the gums, but when applied they never reach the focus of inflammation below the tip of the root and are therefore not helpful.
Purulent root inflammation with involvement of the gums
When abscesses form, the gums inside the oral cavity redden and swell. It becomes tense as the pus tries to spread and is very sensitive to pressure. Merely touching with a finger can cause excruciating pain for those affected. Furthermore, when a fistula duct forms, the exit port can be inside the oral cavity on the gums and thus pus is constantly released into the oral cavity.
This does not create any pressure, but the secretion is definitely uncomfortable for the patient. The taste and smell of the oral cavity can also be very negative, as the bacteria that metabolize the blood cells produce gases. These gases are like the smell of putrefaction
Purulent tooth root inflammation with involvement of the nose
If an abscess forms through a maxillary tooth, it can form in the nasal region. As a result, it can happen that the person concerned gets very poor or no air through the nose and has to switch to mouth breathing. Furthermore, a fistula can form in the upper jaw, which develops outward and ends near the nose or directly at the nose. As a result, pus can also leak through the nasal duct so that it becomes visible when blowing your nose.
This can make the nose very sensitive to touch. If there is a fistula duct, it is quite possible that not only the tooth is removed therapeutically, but the fistula duct is also surgically removed if there is a risk that it will become infected again. This danger exists when connected to the nose, as bacteria are repeatedly taken in from the air through the nasal port.
