5 Ways to Avoid Abscesses and Keep Them from Happening Again

Abscesses are pockets of pus caused by a bacterial infection. They can occur in different regions of the tooth due to various causes of the infection. A periapical abscess shows up on the tip of your tooth, and a periodontal abscess is just below the side of your tooth’s root.

Your local dentist will drain an abscess and remove infectious tissue before performing a root canal to save the tooth. In severe cases, they may need to pull the tooth out. But often, pulling a tooth is better than leaving the infection untreated.

Leaving an abscess untreated is not an option, as it can enter your bloodstream and lead to tachycardia or arrhythmia. Abscess-causing bacteria thrive in weak spots, so if you want to protect your pearly whites, it’s best to strengthen them. Some tips to improve your teeth’s protection against infections are:

Maintain an Oral Hygiene Routine

Brushing and flossing will keep your teeth strong and free from infection so that you can keep enjoying their natural whiteness.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your dental health routine:

• Brush twice a day and floss once–it’s best to do this in the evening when food particles have built up. Don’t brush right after every meal. It’s tempting to do so, but brushing too much can make your teeth weak.
• It’s best to rinse with warm water or mouthwash instead. You should also brush and floss regularly, preferably twice a day.

Visit Your Local Dentist

This point cannot be emphasized enough. Go to the dentist every six months. A dentist will be able to spot problems that you can't see in a mirror, such as cavities. Getting in early means stopping issues before they become major health issues.

Your local dentist’s regular and deep cleanings wipe out plaque and bacteria that weaken your teeth and cause tooth infections.

Lessen Sugary Foods and Drinks

Avoid sugar, or at least limit it as much as possible! Sugar feeds bacteria, which can damage teeth and lead to tooth decay. Sugar can also create bacterial tooth infections.

Drink Fluoridated Water

Fluoride in water strengthens your teeth’ enamel, making it more difficult for plaque and tartar to set up shop in your smile. Most U.S. cities have fluoride in their drinking water already—you can just drink tap water.

If not—or if you drink from a private source or healthy water—you can buy fluoride in bottled form. Just make sure it’s labeled as containing fluoride; otherwise, no benefit will come from drinking it.

Change Toothbrushes Often

Did you know that toothbrush holders are a breeding ground for bacteria? And if you don’t clean them regularly, bacteria can climb up your toothbrush bristles and infect your mouth?

Yuck!

Besides replacing your toothbrush when the bristles start to fray, which is about every three months or sooner, you should also be cleaning your toothbrush holder every two weeks.

One of the best ways to do that is with a bleach solution in the reservoir of the holder – just for ten seconds at a time until it’s sparkly clean.

You can also put all of the brush supplies in a bag, wash them, along with rinsing out the toothpaste tube and floss container.

We're not being disgusting on purpose, but usually, microscopic fecal particles launched into the air by a toilet flush can land onto your toothbrush. So please, change your toothbrush more often than other habits allow, even if it comes straight from your local dentist.

Conclusion

Everybody wants to have healthy, white, uninfected teeth. But often, the easiest prevention methods are the most difficult to apply because they require consistency. Don't fret; keep maintaining your oral hygiene, and your local dentist will breathe a sigh of relief when they don't have to drain abscess from your mouth.

Visit Dental House MI if you need a local dentist in Ann Arbor, MI. We provide an environment for patients that is both welcoming and personable while creating a healthy smile you will love. Book your appointment today!