Periostitis (flux): urgent treatment at the dentist at Astra Dent Warsaw
A common purulent complication that occurs as a result of untimely treatment of caries or pulpitis is called periostitis (popularly called flux). It is an acute inflammation of the periosteum of the jaw, which is accompanied by swelling, severe pain, fever and accumulation of pus in the soft tissues. Delaying a visit to the doctor may result in an abscess or osteomyelitis.
Self-medication is one of the causes of complications. Ointments, compresses, over-the-counter antibiotics alleviate symptoms, but do not eliminate the source of infection. Bacteria penetrate deep into the tissues, affecting the periosteum, surrounding muscles and lymph nodes. As the inflammation spreads, the risk of sepsis increases – a systemic reaction of the body that requires hospitalization. The condition is especially dangerous in children, people with weakened immunity and the elderly.
Immediate intervention is required in cases of acute toothache, facial asymmetry, fever, purulent tumor in the gum or cheek area. Astra Dent in Warsaw accepts such patients urgently. Treatment involves drainage of the purulent focus, prescription of antibacterial therapy and monitoring of the recovery process.
Why do patients choose Astra Dent Warsaw for the treatment of periostitis?
Acute infections make up a significant part of emergency dental visits. According to the study, 43.6% of cases of urgent care were associated with oral abscesses, which emphasizes the importance of timely and professional intervention in such conditions.
Advantages of periostitis treatment in Poland at Astra Dent:
- Emergency appointment on the day of admission. The medical center has separate slots for patients with acute pain, edema and purulent infiltrate. Admission takes place without queues, immediately after prior contact with the reception.
- Experienced doctors who know how to relieve pain quickly and safely. The Astra Dent team consists of dentists with 10 to 15 years of experience in the treatment of acute inflammatory processes. They use modern techniques for effective and safe pain relief and elimination of infection.
- Modern diagnostic equipment. Dentistry is equipped with advanced diagnostic equipment – 3D tomographs, digital X-ray machines – which allows us to accurately determine the localization and extent of the inflammatory process.
- English-speaking team. All stages of diagnosis, treatment and recommendations after the procedure are carried out in the patient's native language – without misunderstandings, inaccuracies and stress.
- Comfortable atmosphere for children and adults. The interior of the medical center is designed taking into account the needs of patients of different ages. There are play areas for children, and cozy waiting rooms for adults, which help reduce anxiety before the appointment.
Choosing dentistry for the treatment of periostitis is crucial. Astra Dent offers professionalism and modern technologies that provide an effective solution to dental problems of any complexity.
Symptoms of periostitis
Inflammation of the periosteum develops over a few weeks, often against the background of untreated pulpitis or deep caries. Many patients consult a dentist already with signs of a purulent process in the jaw area. In such cases, it is important not to waste time and recognize the alarm signals:
- Throbbing toothache. The pain intensifies when lying down, responds to heat and is often not relieved by analgesics. A feeling of distension in the area of one or more teeth indicates the accumulation of pus.
- Swelling of the gums, cheeks, lips. Inflammation extends beyond the tooth bed, provoking a volumetric compaction in the periosteum area. The swelling spreads to the adjacent soft tissues and causes noticeable facial asymmetry.
- Increased body temperature. The body reacts to the infection by increasing the temperature to 37.8-38.5°C. Sometimes chills and tachycardia occur, which indicate a systemic response.
- Difficulty opening the mouth or swallowing. Against the background of edema and tension of the muscles of the chewing apparatus, trismus appears – restriction of jaw movements. Painful swallowing is possible if the infection spreads to the submandibular area.
- General deterioration of the condition. The patient feels weakness, headache, loss of appetite. As the inflammatory process progresses, apathy, irritability, and increased sweating occur at night.
The longer you ignore the signs of flux, the greater the likelihood of complications – up to phlegmon or osteomyelitis. If you have a toothache and a swollen cheek, do not postpone a visit to the dentist. Diagnostics at Astra Dent is performed using digital X-rays and CT scans, which allows us to determine the stage of the process and prescribe effective treatment.
Causes of periostitis
Most cases of acute periostitis are associated with odontogenic (dental) causes – the consequences of caries, pulpitis, or tooth injury. This is not an independent disease, but a complication that could have been avoided with timely treatment. The most common causes of purulent periosteal lesions are:
- Complications of untreated caries or pulpitis. The infection penetrates through the dentin into the pulp, and then into the periapical tissues, reaching the periosteum.
- Tooth trauma. Mechanical damage or a microcrack leads to a violation of the tooth's tightness, which creates conditions for bacteria to penetrate into the deeper layers.
- Problems with the eruption of a wisdom tooth. A partially erupted third molar creates a niche in which residual food and microorganisms accumulate. Pericoronitis (gum inflammation) can be complicated by the penetration of infection deep into the bone.
- Poor hygiene or infections. Insufficient tooth cleaning, the presence of tartar, chronic infections in the oral cavity contribute to the bacterial load, which increases the risk of inflammation from the gums or pockets to the periosteum.
Astra Dent specialists do not begin treatment without an accurate diagnosis. They find out the root cause of the inflammation in order to act in a targeted manner, eliminate the source of infection and reduce the risk of re-inflammation by rehabilitating the oral cavity.
How we treat periostitis at Astra Dent Warsaw
According to the clinical guidelines of the Academy of Medicine, the treatment of odontogenic infections necessarily involves the elimination of the source of infection, surgical drainage and, if necessary, drug therapy. A multi-level approach reduces the risk of infection spreading deep into the tissues and prevents damage to vital structures. Treatment of tooth flux in Warsaw at Astra Dent is carried out according to a clear protocol: from 3D diagnostics and local anesthesia to abscess drainage and sanitation of the causal tooth.
Diagnostics (examination, X-ray)
The dentist begins with a clinical examination and instrumental visualization to assess the stage of periostitis and choose a treatment strategy. At the diagnostic stage, the following actions are performed:
- Visual examination and palpation. The doctor determines the presence of edema, seals, painful areas, checks the mobility of the teeth and the condition of the gums.
- Targeted digital radiography. Used to assess the condition of the roots, periapical tissues and detect purulent foci in the bone.
- 3D computed tomography (CT). Indicated in complex cases. Allows us to see the spread of infection in three-dimensional space, assess the damage to the bone, maxillary sinuses and surrounding anatomical structures.
- Determination of the causative tooth. The doctor determines which tooth is the source of infection, even if the pain and swelling are localized nearby.
Diagnostic imaging at Astra Dent is performed using the latest generation of digital X-ray and CT machines. They provide minimal radiation exposure to the body, which is important when examining children and patients with concomitant diseases.
Analgesia and local anesthesia
The doctor administers anesthesia locally, in a precisely calculated area, so that the anesthesia is complete, but without exceeding the permissible dose.
The main features of anesthesia at Astra Dent:
- the use of ultra-thin needles makes the injection almost imperceptible, reducing discomfort even in sensitive patients;
- the latest generation anesthetics provide a stable effect for 1.5-2 hours without side effects;
- the doctor takes into account age and body weight to avoid both insufficient anesthesia and overdose.
Manipulations are performed only after the patient does not feel pain even when pressed, due to which reflex muscle tension does not occur. In cases of complicated periostitis, preliminary application anesthesia or infiltration technique with additional nerve blockade is possible.
Opening the abscess (if necessary)
If a fluctuation (a soft area with pus under pressure) is detected during the diagnosis, the doctor decides on surgical opening of the abscess, which is performed in several stages:
- Antiseptic treatment of the area. The opening area is disinfected with chlorhexidine or octenidine solutions to reduce the risk of spreading bacterial infection.
- Point incision of the mucosa. The surgeon makes a small (2-5 mm) incision at the largest point of fluctuation.
- Removal of pus. Purulent contents are carefully removed. If the inflammation is deep or there is a lot of pus, soft drainage is used – a silicone strip or rubber drain.
- Installation of drainage (if necessary). Drainage allows the remnants of pus to come out for 24-48 hours and prevents the opening from closing until it is completely cleaned.
- Washing with antiseptics. Solutions based on chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite or furatsilin are used, depending on the depth of the infection.
The procedure quickly reduces inflammation, eases the patient's well-being and creates conditions for further treatment of the main tooth.
Prescribing antibiotics and further treatment
The dentist prescribes antibiotics only according to indications – taking into account the anamnesis, the general condition of the patient and the localization of the inflammatory process:
- Choice of drug. Most often, penicillin antibiotics (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid), cephalosporins or clindamycin are used. If the patient has an allergy, macrolides (azithromycin or clarithromycin) are prescribed.
- Duration of the course. Usually the treatment lasts 5-7 days. The drug is taken according to the scheme, even if the symptoms disappear earlier, which prevents the development of antibiotic resistance.
- Combination therapy. Along with systemic antibiotics, local antiseptics (rinsing with chlorhexidine, rotocan), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, ketoprofen), drugs to maintain intestinal microflora (probiotics) are used.
- Additional pain relief. If necessary, analgesics are prescribed, but only for the period until the inflammatory component is removed. The reception is monitored by a doctor to avoid masking symptoms.
In complex cases, a referral for antibiotic sensitivity analysis (bacteriological culture) is possible, especially in case of repeated episodes of periostitis or lack of effect from standard treatment.
Treatment of the main tooth or extraction (according to indications)
After eliminating the acute phase of periostitis, it is necessary to decide how to deal with the tooth that became the source of infection. Two scenarios of further actions are possible:
- Endodontic treatment. If the tooth is to be restored, root canal treatment is performed using rotary instruments, electronic apical diagnostics and obturation with biocompatible materials. After cleaning and hermetic sealing of the canals, the tooth is restored with a restorative material or an orthopedic structure.
- Tooth extraction. In case of significant destruction, root cracks or chronic infection, the doctor decides to remove it. The procedure is performed atraumatically, with controlled outflow of contents from the hole. If there is a residual infection, drainage or an antiseptic dressing is installed.
After tissue healing, the doctor draws up a recovery plan: this may be implantation, a bridge structure or other options. The patient receives full support – from the first anesthesia to full prosthetics.
Observation and control
The patient returns for examination in 2-3 days. The doctor checks the condition of the tissues, healing, changes the drainage or adjusts the therapy if necessary. The full course includes a control X-ray and recommendations on hygiene and prevention.
The treatment system at Astra Dent is built to act quickly, clearly and without unnecessary interventions. The specialist works with the cause of inflammation, restores the balance of microflora and reduces the risk of recurrence of the disease.
Consequences in the absence of treatment
Periostitis is a direct path to serious complications. Without treatment, the infection goes beyond the tooth and affects vital anatomical structures:
- Spread of infection to the jaw, neck, body. Pus can penetrate the soft tissues of the neck, parotid area, maxillary sinuses or mandibular space, which threatens to compress the respiratory tract or transfer the infection to the mediastinum (mediastinitis).
- Abscess, phlegmon, sepsis. Untreated flux is often complicated by the formation of a limited purulent cavity (abscess) or diffuse inflammation (phlegmon). In the most severe cases, bacteria enter the bloodstream, provoking sepsis, which is life-threatening.
- Tooth loss and complications for general health. Prolonged inflammation destroys the ligamentous apparatus and bone around the tooth, making it impossible to save it. Infection increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, causes exacerbation of chronic conditions (for example, diabetes mellitus) and negatively affects immunity.
Delaying a visit to the doctor is one of the reasons why flux turns into life-threatening forms.
How to make an appointment at Astra Dent Warsaw?
You can get qualified help for periostitis on the day of your visit. Making an appointment at Astra Dent in Warsaw does not take much time, just choose a convenient method:
- phone: +48 533 599 552;
- e-mail: info@astradent.pl;
- online form: available on the website astradent.pl.
Patients with acute pain, swelling and purulent inflammation are admitted without waiting. All procedures are performed under anesthesia, using modern equipment. The appointment is confirmed immediately after the application, without waiting.
Published:
11 December 2025, 11:11
Last update:
12 December 2025, 10:47
