The treatment of a dental abscess
When treating an abscess on a tooth, it is first of all important to alleviate the usually existing tooth infection, whereby an antibiotic is useful in case of a bacterial cause. This is also important to prevent the inflammation from spreading to other areas of the oral cavity. However, antibiotic treatment is usually not sufficient to heal the abscess.
In most cases, the abscess has to be opened surgically and the pus emptied. The abscess is accessed by the dentist under local anaesthetic via the oral mucosa and the jawbone. The access to the abscess is kept open by means of drainage.
The pus can then continue to drain off via the drainage. If the abscess is very large, the dentist may have to gain access via the facial skin in the area of the cheek, lower jaw or temple. In this case this is done under general anaesthesia.
Once the abscess is removed, the tooth where the abscess has formed must be treated. If the root is already affected, a root canal treatment will be necessary, in the worst case the tooth will have to be extracted. In most cases, abscesses can be prevented by proper dental and oral hygiene.
Pulling ointment for an abscess
If an abscess is still in its early stages, it can be treated locally with a traction ointment. The ingredient “ammonium bituminosulfonate”, which is also called ichthyol, initially causes an increased inflammation, which causes the vessels to dilate. This allows defence cells to accumulate better in the tissue to fight the bacteria.
The pulling ointment is available with different concentrations of ichthyol, it is usually called ichtholan ointment. Depending on the sensitivity of the affected skin, it is decided which ointment to use. In case of inflammation of the facial skin (such as painful pimples) 10% Ichtholan ointment is used.
20% is used for abscesses that are located deeper down, as well as nail bed inflammation and sweat gland abscesses. 50% ichtholan ointment is used for the maturation of furuncles. If a local deterioration occurs or there is no improvement within 2-3 weeks, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted. If a fever occurs, this must be done immediately.
Homeopathy for an abscess
There are various homeopathic remedies that are used for abscesses. However, it is important to note that these remedies should only be used for superficial abscesses. Treatment with Belladonna, Hepar sulphuris calcareum and Pyrogenium, is intended to prevent the development of an abscess by preventing pus pockets from forming in the inflamed body cavity.
The medicinal plant Myristica sebifera should also be mentioned, which can be applied to the affected area in the form of an ointment. It is also called the “homeopathic knife” because it can open abscesses. The effect of Myristica sebifera is antiseptic and also available as globules.
Typical application potency of this is D2 to D6. There is also Calcium sulfuricum, a mineral salt. Frequently used potencies of this agent are D4 to D12.
The snake venom Crotalus is also said to help against abscesses. Hepar sulfuris calcareum, from sulphur flowers and oyster shell limestone, is used in potencies D6 to D12. Iodine is another remedy, but only available on prescription up to potency D3. Also to be mentioned are: Potassium bromatum, Potassium phosphoricum and Ichtyloum.
