What Is An Abscess Tooth?
A tooth abscess, also known as dental abscess, is a condition that leads to the accumulation of pus inside the gum, teeth, or jaw bone. Even though most of the bacteria in your mouth is harmless, certain conditions can leave you vulnerable to bacterial infection, making it the main cause of dental abscess.
Although periodontal abscess is often painful, it’s not uncommon for patients to experience little to no pain, which may cause them to delay getting treatment.
Since most of you might not know when to seek abscess tooth treatment, this article will include all the common symptoms and treatment methods available.
What Causes a Tooth Abscess?
Over Consumption of Sugar and Carbohydrates
Every time you eat food rich in sugar or starch, some particles get lodged into your tooth through tiny holes and tooth gaps. If you don’t practice good oral hygiene, these particles will mix with the bacteria in your mouth and form acid. The acid formed is harmful to your teeth, as it damages your tooth enamel and leaves it prone to decay and dental abscess.
Trauma to Your Mouth
Your teeth have a soft part called a pulp connected to your gums. The slightest injury to the pulp may cause enough trauma to allow for the formation of bacteria that later manifests into a periodontal abscess. If you get involved in an accident that leaves you with oral injuries, visit an emergency dentist near you for treatment.
Weakened Immune Protection
Although your mouth is full of bacteria, it is usually harmless. However, when you have a weak immune system, small amounts of bacteria could be enough to overwhelm your body’s defense mechanism and leave you susceptible to tooth abscess. In addition, a weakened immune system can leave you vulnerable to serious medical conditions. If you have been falling ill more frequently than usual, visit a hospital.
Gum Disease
People with gum-related diseases such as periodontitis have a higher chance of developing a periodontal abscess. In short, the more your gums recede, the more gum pockets form close to your teeth. These gum pockets allow food particles and bacteria to build up, putting you at more risk of infection and tooth abscess.
Types of Tooth Abscess
Periapical Abscess
It is the most common type of periodontal abscess, caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the tooth’s pulp, often due to periodontal disease and tooth decay.
Periodontal Abscess
A periodontal abscess is a tooth abscess that commonly occurs on the gum due to bacterial infection. When you develop gum injuries, developing a periodontal abscess increases; be more careful when using toothpicks and toothbrushes made of bristles.
Gingival Abscess
This type of abscess only occurs on the gums and is mainly caused by trauma to the gingiva.
Symptoms of an Abscess Tooth
- Red and swollen gums
- Pain from your tooth, gum, neck, and jaw region
- Fever, accompanied by frequent headaches
- Increased sensitivity to cold and hot beverages
- A foul smell from your mouth
Treatment Options
Draining of Pus
For quick and easy removal of pus, your dentist will first make an incision on the abscess. They will then drain the abscess and wash it with salt water to kill all the bacteria through osmosis.
Root Canal Treatment
Depending on the abscess you are suffering from, root canal treatment could be best suited. Your dentist will first drill into your tooth to remove the infected pulp tissue to perform this procedure. They will then locate, remove and clean the abscess of all pus before sealing the pulp chamber. Finally, they will fit a dental crown on the drilled tooth to strengthen it and protect it from damage.
Tooth Removal
Before your dentist recommends tooth removal, they would have found it impossible to remove the abscess using an alternative method. So you don’t have to worry about pain, we will use an anesthetic to prepare you for the extraction procedure. When fully healed, you can also come back for a dental implant to replace your missing tooth.
Get Your Abscessed Tooth Treated at Holger Dental Group
An abscessed tooth can be very painful and inconvenient. In addition, the foul odor from your mouth caused by a dental abscess can negatively affect your social life and lead to low self-esteem.
Don’t risk future dental complications by delaying dental treatment; visit Holger Dental Group today to have your abscess cleaned and drained.
Our dental clinic is committed to providing quality healthcare to families in Minnetonka by offering affordable and comprehensive dental care services.
