Sometimes, many words or terms regarding our oral health may sound unfamiliar and even alarming. The same unfamiliar sound is for the term dental fistula. Have you ever wondered what exactly is the dental fistula definition? What it means for oral health, then you’re at the right place.
Let’s read this blog and get into what dental fistula is. You will know and explore its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. We will highlight the significance of early detection of oral problems and how to ensure healthy oral health. You must have knowledge about how to maintain a healthy smile.
What Is A Fistula Dental?
A dental fistula, also known as a dental abscess or gum boil, is a potentially severe disease resulting from an infection in the tooth or gums. It manifests as a little, painful bump or pimple-like swelling on the gum, often accompanied by pus or drainage. While it may be daunting, a fistula dental can cause other oral infections, so seeking appropriate treatment and preventing more complications is crucial.
Fistula may appear when the body reacts to an infection and joins the inside or surface of the body to an organ or source of inflammation. As a result, a pus canal will originate. This small pimple on the gum is filled with pus and can even rupture and refill with pus. It can be threatening as the infection can lead to other oral health infections. See your dentist if it feels like you have a dental fistula.
The passage acts as a deposit of pus, and as it is filled, it forms a small protuberance in the shape of a spot close to the gums. When the protuberance bursts, the pus drains into the mouth.
Oral infections can ensue anywhere inside or outside the oral cavity. The best you can do is to practice good oral hygiene and maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet to prevent tooth decay and resulting dental fistula or abscesses.
What Causes A Dental Fistula?
The cause of the dental fistula can be an injury or other reasons. Still, it commonly happens when the discharge from an abscess puts pressure and has nowhere else to empty.
Let’s see the leading causes of abscesses and dental fistula:
- Injury or damage
- Poor dental hygiene
- Earlier dental treatment, such as a root canal procedure
Also, you have a high risk of developing a dental fistula if you follow a high-sugar diet, have a dry mouth, and have inappropriate dental practices.
What Does A Dental Fistula Look Like?
A fistula may appear reddish and yellow, with pimples or ulcers on the gums. The fistula or abscess may be painful sometimes and may not cause any discomfort. The infected area may bleed easily when you press it or get hurt. Therefore, if you have these signs, you must visit the dentist soon, or it may cause other dental problems. Because leaving an infection or disease can be dangerous, treat it on time to have a healthy mouth and less suffering.
How To Treat A Dental Fistula?
You must receive medical care if a physician or dentist finds a fistula. Fistulas hardly ever go away without treatment. If left untreated, infections have the potential to spread out of control. They can harm your jawbone and other oral structures.
During the examination, the dentist will take an X-ray of the troublesome area. They will then do an extraoral and intraoral analysis.
A dentist may recommend medications to destroy the bacteria that caused the infection while also draining the infection from the infection pocket. Your dentist may suggest a root canal or tooth removal, depending on the severity of the fistula. A root canal is a dental process that helps cure infected teeth, halt re-infection, and preserve the native tooth.
During the procedure, the dentist will remove the infected nerve and pulp from the tooth’s root, disinfect and clean the inside, fill it with the material, and seal the tooth so there is no further harm.
Dentists execute root canals under local anesthetic, which lessens any acute pain. But after having a root canal, patients should anticipate some swelling and discomfort. Your dentist could also suggest a crown to maintain and safeguard the tooth’s appearance and functionality.
An infected or damaged tooth must be removed entirely during dental extraction. The dentist uses this procedure when a root canal is not an option. Before performing the extraction, if you have an abscess, the dentist may recommend antibiotics to treat the infection.
Under local anesthetic, the endodontist will also carry out the surgery. For one or two days, you will feel tender and sore. You can talk to your dentist about tooth replacement possibilities once the gums have healed in a few weeks. Therefore, having antibiotics and a pus-draining session is enough to remove the fistula in less severe cases.
Summing Up:
Now that you know the dental fistula definition and how important it is to visit your dentist every 6 months to maintain better oral health. We would love to see you at our dental clinic and get your oral health check-up.
Whether you have gum disease, tooth infection, dental fistula, or abscess, you can contact us and book a dental appointment to treat the underlying cause. It may feel daunting for you at first visit to the dentist, but treating problems earlier is better than making them more complicated. We have dental professionals who will help you make a better choice for your health.
Now that you have read the blog make an appointment with us and learn more about oral health and why dental cleanings are necessary for your overall health and your smile!
