Dental Abscess Symptoms and Causes
What is a Dental Abscess?
A Dental abscess is a pocket left behind under or near a tooth within the gumline, a pocket which eventually is filled with harmful bacteria. These abscesses can quickly escalate from mildly frustrating to incredibly painful for patients. A dental abscess can express pus, which is a nasty smelling fluid associated with infections. They can also expel blood, cause fevers, and compromise the structural integrity of your jaw. If you think there is a chance you are experiencing a dental abscess, you want to remedy the situation as soon as possible. Working quickly, you may be able to avoid further tooth material loss–and further issues like Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder.
Causes of a Dental Abscess
The most common cause of a dental abscess is tooth decay. Tooth decay is a process that causes the enamel and dentin of the tooth to break down. This can create a hole in the tooth that bacteria can enter. Once bacteria enter the tooth, they can multiply and cause an infection.
Another common cause of a dental abscess is gum disease. Gum disease is a condition that causes the gums to become inflamed and infected. This can also create a pocket around the tooth that bacteria can enter.
An injury to the tooth can also cause a dental abscess. If the tooth is chipped, cracked, or broken, it can create a hole that bacteria can enter.
How to Prevent a Dental Abscess
1. Attend your regularly scheduled appointments with a dentist or hygienist
2. Brush your teeth frequently, especially after meals
3. Floss every day, paying special attention to the gumline
4. Use Mouthwash
5. Schedule regular cleanings and review hygiene practices
If you have any concerns about your teeth or gums, be sure to see your dentist right away. They can help you prevent tooth problems, including tooth abscesses.
Treatment for a Dental Abscess
The treatment for a dental abscess will depend on whether or not a complete infection has set in. Commonly, the dentist may be able to treat the abscess with antibiotics. In more dire cases, the dentist may need to remove the tooth or drain the abscess.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that are causing the infection. They are usually taken for a period of 7-10 days.
Drainage
If the abscess is large or if the antibiotics are not working, the dentist may need to drain the abscess. This is done by making a small incision in the gums and draining the pus.
Tooth extraction
If the abscess is caused by a dead or dying tooth, the dentist may need to remove the tooth. This is usually the only way to cure a tooth abscess that is not responding to other treatments.
Complications of a Dental Abscess
If a tooth abscess is not treated, it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the jawbone, sinuses, or brain. This can lead to serious complications, such as:
- Bone infection
- Sinus infection
- Brain abscess
- Septicemia (blood poisoning)