Abscess and Infection
An abscess can be diagnosed by the dentist visually or on an x-ray. If your child has an abscess on a baby tooth, the tooth will likely need to be extracted and thus the abscess will drain. If the abscess is on a permanent tooth, it will likely require a root canal with a crown in order to save the tooth. Unfortunately, even some permanent teeth cannot be saved if an abscess has persisted for a long time. He or she may also need a course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Our doctors try to only use antibiotics if the child has a facial swelling or has been in pain and the tooth cannot be extracted immediately.
To prevent a dental abscess, make sure your child has a good oral hygiene routine, take them to the dentist every six months to check for cavities, and have their cavities fixed promptly.