Prevention
- Early treatment of deep caries and pulpitis before abscess formation
- Complete root canal treatment with adequate seal
- Periodontal maintenance therapy to prevent acute periodontal abscess
- Prompt management of pericoronitis with operculectomy or extraction of retained third molars
- Patient education: seek care immediately for dental swelling — never wait to 'see if it gets better'
- Monitoring of high-risk patients (diabetics, immunocompromised) for early dental pathology
- Antibiotic prophylaxis for high-risk procedures in immunocompromised patients