Sometimes financial concerns, time constraints, or dental phobia can cause some individuals to forgo professional treatment for an active cavity. As time goes on, the prevalent tooth decay can allow bacteria to affect the root of a tooth. This could eventually lead to an infectious buildup of fluid in the underlying gums.

As bacteria and fluid begin to build up, you will likely experience a severe toothache, a feeling of pain or pressure in the gums, and a possible low-grade fever. These symptoms are obvious signs that you need to seek timely professional treatment from a oral surgeon like Dr. David L. Sykes.

In some of these cases, a decayed tooth with a developing dental abscess can be treated with a root canal, followed up by a course of prescription-strength antibiotics and pain medication. This treatment might also call for draining the fluid from a dental abscess.

In a more severe case, the tooth might need to be extracted to prevent further pain and complications. Once your gums have fully healed, Dr. David L. Sykes and his staff can help you understand your dental restoration options. This might include installing a dental bridge or performing a dental implant restoration.