Pain and pain progression | So dangerous is a fistula in the mouth

Pain and pain progression

At the beginning, the complaints are still relatively minor and at a bearable level. One does not notice the upcoming fistula formation and assumes a normal dental problem. In the course of time, however, the pain increases, may be throbbing and a feeling of tension develops.

Externally, it can be recognized if only by a slight swelling in the affected area. As soon as the pressure is so strong that the contents of the abscess empty through the fistula into the oral cavity, the pain decreases. However, if not treated, it may reoccur due to the progressive inflammation. Treatment of the fistula is eagerly awaited by most patients, as the pain and the feeling of tension turn out to be very unpleasant.

Diagnosis

In general, it is advisable to consult a dentist as soon as the first pain symptoms appear, as this stops the progression of caries at an early stage. Thus, the development of an abscess, which then empties into the oral cavity through a fistula, is not necessary. The dentist first examines the painful area to see if there is a swollen area.

The vitality of the tooth is also checked. This allows us to draw conclusions about the condition of the root of the tooth. Is it still vital or already dead?

The safest way to assess an inflammation and its extent, which is not visible externally, is an x-ray. The dentist will arrange for the x-ray to be taken and can then examine the inflammation on the basis of the image. The further steps depend on the situation.

If the inflammation is still manageable, a root canal treatment may be sufficient. However, if it is very advanced, it may be necessary to extract the tooth. If a fistula is present, i.e. also an extended stage of the inflammation, the tooth and the entire inflamed tissue will be removed.

With the removal of the inflammation, the fistula then heals on its own. It is only possible to preserve the tooth in spite of fistula formation if only the root is inflamed. It is important to remove the inflamed tissue and stop the cause.

In this way, the fistula can be opened and emptied. The purulent fluid is sucked out with a suction cup so that it does not spill into the oral cavity. The cause is then treated, for example the inflamed root tips are removed, and the healing process is supported by antibiotic therapy. Home remedies against fistulas are not advisable, since only opening the fistula and stopping the purulent processes can prevent worse. Even if the pain is relieved, the cause is still present.