Be on the Lookout for Dental Fistulas

Your mouth is a very active place. A lot goes on in there even when you’re not eating. Saliva flows, bacteria grows, your tongue moves around—and a dental fistula can form. That’s when a periodontist, who treats a whole host of dental issues—will treat you. Expect the best at the office of Russell D. Hatfield, DDS, MS, Ltd. We pride ourselves on establishing outstanding rapports with all of our patients, as well as our excellent service and attention to detail. A dental fistula is a bump that looks like a pimple; it’s triggered by an infection and can be accompanied by pain or a fever. Though a contagion from a malady elsewhere in your body might travel to your mouth, the infection is usually caused by inflamed gums or teeth due to inadequate oral hygiene or dental damage. How Fistulas Form The white blood cells that accumulate to combat an infection make the site swollen. The fistula forms when the swelling’s pressure finds a weak area in your mouth’s soft or hard tissues and channels its liquid—typically pus or pus and blood—into the tooth and gum areas. A periodontist will inspect the fistula, take X-rays and try to detect the source of the infection. He (or she) might send a sample of the pus to a lab for analysis. Courses of Action The periodontist will prescribe an antibiotic to clear up the infection. If the fistula is due to a dental abscess, he might drain the pus the enable healing. Otherwise, you’ll need a root canal or the tooth extracted. If there’s no abscess, the treatment will focus on the cause of the infection. Dental fistulas usually start in the mouth, so the best way to prevent them is to practice excellent oral hygiene: use dental floss and a water flosser daily, brush your teeth twice a day, and get dental cleanings and checkups twice a year. The office of Russell D. Hatfield, DDS, MS, Ltd would be proud to be your periodontist. We use the latest advances in knowledge and technology that will provide you with the best, most innovative treatments. Please call us today to schedule an appointment.