Paulson Dentistry

Many patients fail to see a dentist when they have an aching tooth because they are scared or simply can’t afford to pay for any costly dental procedures. What if you knew that decayed tooth could be deadly. Would you get it fixed immediately? Tragically, one mother discovered the truth the hard way after her twelve-year-old son died after failing to receive the proper treatment in time.

An Unnecessary Death

The Maryland boy died when the infection from his tooth subsequently entered his brain. Doctors performed numerous surgeries on the boy, but were unable to save him. The tragic event occurred because his mother was too poor to pay for dental care and could not travel the three hours to find a dentist to treat him. Instead of the treatment costing Medicaid $80, the entire event is estimated to have cost well over $250,000 in addition to the loss of an innocent life.

What Is A Dental Abscess?

When the pulp inside a tooth becomes damaged or diseased and dies, it becomes infected from toxic bacteria. It becomes painful and fills with toxic pus as it becomes increasingly inflamed. If the patient fails to seek treatment, this infection begins to spread, affecting the root and the jawbone as it continues to carry on throughout the body. The pain continues to increase, but the patient also begins to experience swollen glands, discomfort, red swollen jaws and gums, and possibly draining.

Tooth abscesses are classified into one of three categories. The most extensive of the three is the one that affects the bones, tissues, and other areas of the mouth, which is called a periodontal abscess. The second, called a periapical abscess, begins in the tooth’s pulp. Lastly is a gingival abscess that starts in the gums.

Treatments For Tooth Abscesses

The first step in the process to eliminate the infection requires a dentist performing a root canal. The damaged tissue and infection is drained and the pain eases. Afterwards, a crown can be installed over the damaged tooth to help gain back a healthy smile. The dental professional may also pull the tooth or cut the gums in order to drain off the infection. Finally, the patient will be given painkillers to help ease the pain and discomfort associated with this problem. If you fail to seek treatment early enough, this infection continues to worsen until it enters your brain causing death.

Tooth decay might seem minor, but it can get ugly very quickly. Regular visits to the dentist is one of the sure fire ways to identify dental problems and get them treated before it is too late. Failing to do so can cause the treatment costs to balloon out of control, further degrading the situation and putting your life at risk. If you are going to be afraid of something, consider being less frightened by the pain and keep the story of the twelve-year-old Maryland boy fresh in your mind.

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