If caries is not treated in a timely manner, it can penetrate the pulp, then through the root canal of the tooth, causing a periapical process (an inflammatory process in the area of the tip of the tooth root), from where the bacteria can then spread to the surrounding cavities and spaces of the head and neck. These infections are known as odontogenic infections.
They are characterized by the appearance of swelling, redness, pain, warmth and impaired function in the area of the affected facial socket, accompanied by a general poor health. In these conditions, to prevent pain and further spread of the infection, urgent treatment is required, which involves trepanation (opening the tooth)/extraction of the tooth causing the infection and drainage of the inflammatory contents. Drainage can also be done by incision (cut) in the area of the affected socket in an intraoral (inside the mouth) or extraoral (outside the mouth) manner. This procedure should be accompanied by appropriate antibiotic treatment.
If you have an acute toothache, which may occur on Saturday or Sunday evening, you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID: ibuprofen, aspirin...) to relieve your pain, and the next day immediately seek help at our office.
Note: If you have severe pain in the tooth area, swelling, difficulty breathing, chest pain, difficulty opening your mouth, contact your primary dentist immediately, as these infections progress and spread in a very short period of time, causing severe complications such as cavernous sinus thrombosis, brain abscess, and mediastinitis, which are life-threatening conditions.