Flux, Abscess

Flux, Abscess: what is it and how to treat them

Typically, taking care of your teeth and visiting the dentist takes a back seat in many people's lives. However, if a toothache persists, it may be a sign of a serious problem such as gumboil, abscess, or cellulitis. In this article we will look at these diseases, their causes, symptoms and treatments.

Flux (odontogenic periostitis)

Flux is one of the most common results of caries complications. The name "flux" comes from the German word meaning "flow, flow." Now this term is not used in dentistry, and the term “odontogenic periostitis” is used instead.

Odontogenic periostitis occurs due to an infection that enters the bone through the root canal. As a rule, the infection occurs due to a tooth affected by caries.

Symptoms of gumboil include persistent toothache that gets worse when you put pressure on the tooth, chew, or try to knock on it. If the tooth is severely damaged or has previously been treated for pulpitis, this may be a sign of periodontitis. If at the same time there is swelling of the tissues surrounding the tooth and swelling of the cheek on the side of the diseased tooth, then this already indicates the presence of flux. In some cases, the patient may develop a fever.

Treatment for flux involves administering anesthesia and making an incision in the mouth to release the pus. After this, a rubber strip called drainage is inserted into the incision. To prevent the incision from closing quickly, the drainage is kept open for a while. You will likely also need to take antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medications.

Abscess

An abscess is a limited accumulation of pus in tissue. At its core, periostitis is also an abscess, but limited to the periosteum.

Abscesses also occur due to infection, which can enter the tissue through an affected tooth or an inflamed gum pocket. Symptoms of an abscess may include pain, swelling, redness and warmth in the affected area.

Treatment of an abscess involves opening and draining. You may also be prescribed antibacterial medications to prevent re-infection.

Phlegmon

Phlegmon is a diffuse purulent inflammation that can penetrate into different parts of the face between the muscles, move to the neck and even descend into the mediastinum.

Symptoms of cellulitis include tenderness in the affected area, swelling, redness, fever and general weakness. Cellulitis can be a complication of flux or abscess, when the infection spreads to adjacent tissues.

Treatment for cellulitis can be difficult and require hospitalization. Intensive antibiotic therapy and drainage of the affected area are usually performed. In some cases, surgery may be required.

In general, taking care of your dental health and regularly visiting the dentist can help avoid the development of gumboils, abscesses and cellulitis. If you have toothache or other dental symptoms, be sure to visit your dentist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.