Pus in the mouth. What to do?

What to do if pus has formed in the oral cavity?

A likely cause could be the presence of tartar under the gum. At a hygienist appointment, tartar and deposits are removed using ultrasonic and other tools.

Only after this procedure will the use of medications have the desired therapeutic effect.

The danger of self-applying ointments lies in their potential to mask symptoms and worsen the infection. Tartar does not dissolve on its own and maintains the pathological condition. All pus-related processes can lead to systemic complications, such as heart, kidney, and endocrine problems. This is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and can cause premature labor.

What to do if suddenly the gum between the teeth is swollen?

Pus discharge and swelling in the area of one tooth are often caused by trapped food particles.

Try cleaning the gap between your teeth with dental floss. If this does not help, consult a dentist who can identify the cause of the pus.

What to do if there is pus in the area of a wisdom tooth?

This is usually related to difficulties with the eruption of the wisdom tooth and may be accompanied by problems with opening the mouth and painful swallowing. In this case, you should consult an oral surgeon to remove the overhanging gum flap, which will eliminate the cause of the infection and prevent recurrence.

Pus from a tooth

This is a rare occurrence, and detecting pus coming directly from the root canals is quite challenging.

Here, specialist help is required. Here’s why...

Pus from a fistula (abscess)

More often, pus does not exit through the canals but through a fistula (abscess) - a thin channel that runs from the tooth root to the gum. It appears as a red or white spot about 0.5-1 cm below (or above on the upper jaw) the gum line.

Pus from a fistula indicates an infection in the tooth roots, so diagnosis and treatment of the tooth are necessary.

Modern technology allows for effective treatment of most issues, such as cysts, granulomas, and perforations, provided that the tooth can be restored with an artificial crown.

Self-treatment or delaying treatment can lead to the destruction of the root and surrounding tooth tissues, reducing the chances of successful treatment. An abscess is also known as a gum swelling when pus cannot break through on its own. This is often accompanied by swelling of the cheek and an increase in temperature.

The medical term for this issue is periostitis. In such cases, pus can be removed by a surgeon through a small incision in the gum. Untimely intervention can lead to serious complications that require inpatient treatment. The tooth affected by periostitis can also be saved if it can be restored.

What to do if pus appears after tooth extraction?

One of the unpleasant consequences of tooth extraction is inflammation of the socket, known as alveolitis. This is associated with the breakdown of the blood clot in the socket and activation of the infection. For proper healing, it is necessary to remove food debris from the socket, disinfect the wound, and place a medicament.

Do not try to handle this yourself; it is better to consult professionals. If the socket is covered with a grayish coating, there is no need to worry - this is a normal part of the healing process.