Toothache hurts a lot. If you don't take care, it gets worse, and develop serious oral problems. Sometimes, your tooth might start hurting when it’s hard to find a dentist right away. But all thanks to technology, you can now have an online dental consultation. This way, you can get advice and quick help even at odd hours.

Types of Infections that Are Common

Dental illness show up in different ways. It is important to know each of the following ways to take care of them:

• Abscess: A pocket of pus forms in your tooth because of bacteria. Your mouth swells and hurts a lot.
• Gingivitis: It is the earliest stage of gum disease. Your gums get red and inflamed because of sticky stuff on your gums. These sticky deposits are called plaque. It gets worse if you do not take good care.
• Periodontitis: This is the most serious gum disease that affects the bones that hold your jaws. You might lose your tooth if it is not treated timely.
• Pericoronitis: Your teeth that are growing like a wisdom tooth get swollen and infected.

Knowing all these types is important to get the right treatment. An online dentist can also help you figure out what kind of infection you have and tell you what to do next.

Signs and Symptoms 

Recognizing symptoms is important. It helps you catch problems early. Must look out for:

• Pain: Your gums pain a lot.
• Swelling: Your face, gums, or neck feel puffy. It happens when the bacteria starts spreading to nearby areas.
• Sensitivity: Hot, cold, or sweet foods hurt your gums and molars.
• Bad Breath: Even after brushing, the mouth gives off a bad odor.
• Fever: Your body feels hot when it fights hard with the infection.

If you see any of these signs, please talk to a dentist immediately. The more you wait, the worse it will get.

How does a Dentist Check your Teeth?

A dentist is the only person who can look at your teeth and figure out what's wrong. During a check-up, he will ask about your pain and how long you have had it. He will also want to know about any other symptoms you might have.

• In an online visit, you are asked to share a picture or video of the infected area. 
• He will then give you a first idea of what's wrong and tell you what to do next. 
• This could include giving you a prescription listing the best antibiotics for tooth infection or asking you to come in for an in-person visit for further examination.

What are the Treatment Options Available?

Medical experts use medicine and special procedures. The potency of medicine and the complexity of the treatment depends on how bad your condition might be. You must know the following common ways that are used to treat it:

• Antibiotics: Capsules that contain amoxicillin or clindamycin are used to kill bacteria.
• Root Canal: In case the infection is deep, root canal treatment is carried out and broken parts of teeth are removed. 
• Tooth Extraction: Sometimes, you cannot save your tooth. And so it needs to be taken out to stop the infection from spreading.
• Abscess Drainage: If you have a swollen bump or an abscess, the dentist will drain it. The draining process removes pus which relieves pain and pressure.

In online settings, dentists prefer to provide treatment this way:

• Pain Management: The dentist might tell you to take medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain.
• Oral Hygiene Advice: Tips are shared. These revolve around the ways to keep your mouth clean and to avoid the situation getting worse. The dentist also shares the best ways to floss teeth.
• Dietary Recommendations: Foods that hurt the swollen area or make it feel hot, cold, or numb might be discussed in detail.

How to Prevent Infection?

Prevention is always better than cure. For it requires more time, energy, and money. As a part of preventive measures, you must:

• Brush and Floss: Brush teeth at least twice a day or right after a meal. Make it a habit. Do not forget to floss daily. Because it removes plaque and trapped food particles.
• Go for Regular Check-Ups: Make weekly visits to your dentist for cleanings. These visits are also essential to catch early symptoms that may lead to a potential issue.
• Eat a Healthy Diet: Whatever diet you take, make sure that it is low in sugar and high in calcium and other essential nutrients.
• Avoid Tobacco: Do not smoke. And do not even chew tobacco.
• Use Mouthwash: An antimicrobial mouthwash is always a good choice. Clinically proven, it can kill oral bacteria that attack gums.

By regularly following these preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of developing illness.

What Happens if an Infection is Left Untreated?

Ignoring signs or symptoms can severely complicate your condition and you might have to experience:

• Metastasis: Bacterias can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious conditions such as sepsis.
• Tooth Loss: Untreated issues can destroy the structures that support healthy teeth. Resultantly, teeth break.
• Bone Loss: Bacteria if reaches your jawbone can deteriorate your bone. Damaged bone do not support dentures or implants in the future.
• Sinusitis: Pathogens in the upper teeth spread to the sinuses, causing acute or chronic sinusitis.

If you ignore any early signs, it can lead to serious problems. Bacteria can spread. You may lose healthy teeth. Your bone may get damaged. Long-lasting sinus issues may develop. That’s why it is necessary to care for yourself.

When Should You Seek Medical Care?

Not for all problems, you should wait so long to get a regular appointment. If you are troubled by these symptoms, then go for an immediate medical help:

• Noticeable swelling in the face or neck indicates that the bacteria is spreading.
• General malaise, fatigue, or flu-like symptoms that do not go away on their own.
• Intense Pain that does not even get better with over-the-counter medications.
• High fever that persists and that does not go away with antibiotics.
• Swallowing difficulty, especially when the throat is also infected.
• Unable to open mouth or drink water or other liquids easily.
• Red gums that radiate warmth around the affected area.
• Swollen lymph nodes at the front of your neck or under your jaws.
• Foul-smelling discharge from the affected site.

Get an online toothache prescription from a U.S-licensed dentist and manage pain symptoms while staying comfy at home.

Wrap Up

Good oral health is your way to enjoy a happy life. It enables you to speak clearly; chew and swallow delicious foods; and express your happy feelings with a smile. That’s why you should take dental problems seriously. If you see any bad signs, seek prompt medical attention. Otherwise, complications might occur.

Once your health expert recognizes the symptoms and points out the type, you get the right treatment. Proper care can help you live a healthy life. With online consultations available, you can have expert advice and medical treatment by your side.