Dental Abscesses - What Are They And How Can You Prevent Them?

A tooth abscess is a collection of infected material (pus) resulting from a bacterial infection in the center of a tooth.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

A tooth abscess is a complication of tooth decay. It may also result from trauma to the tooth, such as when a tooth is broken or chipped. Openings in the tooth enamel allow bacteria to infect the center of the tooth (the pulp). Infection may spread out from the root of the tooth and to the bones supporting the tooth.
Infection results in a collection of pus (dead tissue, live and dead bacteria, white blood cells) and swelling of the tissues within the tooth. This causes a painful toothache. If the pulp of the tooth dies, the toothache may stop, unless an abscess develops. This is especially true if the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue.

Symptoms

The main symptom is a severe toothache. The pain is continuous and may be described as gnawing, sharp, shooting, or throbbing.
Other symptoms may include:

• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Breath odor
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
• Fever
• Pain when chewing
• Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold
• Swollen glands of the neck
• Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw -- a very serious symptom

Signs and tests

The patient will feel pain when the dentist taps the tooth. Biting or closing the mouth tightly also increases the pain. The gums may be swollen and red and may drain thick material.

 

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to cure the infection, save the tooth, and prevent complications.
Antibiotics may be given to fight the infection. Warm salt-water rinses may be soothing. Over-the-counter pain relievers may relieve the toothache and fever.
Do NOT place aspirin directly over the tooth or gums, because this increases irritation of the tissues and can result in mouth ulcers.
A root canal may be recommended in an attempt to save the tooth.
If there is a severe infection, the tooth may be removed or surgery may be needed to drain the abscess. Some people may need to be admitted to the hospital.

Expectations (prognosis)

Untreated abscesses may get worse and can lead to life-threatening complications.
Prompt treatment usually cures the infection. The tooth can usually be saved in many cases.

Complications

• Loss of the tooth
• Mediastinitis
• Sepsis
• Spread of infection to soft tissue (facial cellulitis, Ludwig's angina)
• Spread of infection to the jaw bone (osteomyelitis of the jaw)
• Spread of infection to other areas of the body resulting in brain abscess, endocarditis, pneumonia, or other complications

Did you know there are two types of dental abscesses?

The first is a periapical abscess. This is where the abscess starts in the centre of the tooth (dental pulp). If you are not looking after your teeth, soon you could have tooth decay, where your tooth looses its protective layer of enamel. If you have tooth decay it is much easier for bacteria to get into the centre of the tooth and cause an infection which could then lead onto having an periapical abscess.

The second is a periodontal abscess, they can start in the areas around the teeth that support them, such as periodontium (between tooth and gum) and they can also follow on from gum disease. Gum disease is a swelling of tissues around the teeth which can cause the gum to come away from the tooth, therefore causing pockets to appear which bacteria can get into and potentially causing a periodontal abscess. If this is the case you will probably find you will have a swelling / inflammation next to that particular infected tooth. This type of abscess may also be caused by heavy of fast brushing to the teeth, if you do not brush your teeth gently you can risk damaging the gum or the periodontium.

To prevent against dental abscesses start looking after your teeth, good dental hygiene is the key. Brush your teeth twice a day for 2-3 minutes with a good toothpaste and brush, regularly floss, use mouthwash and get checked out by the dentist twice a year (every six months) Also think about cutting down or quitting smoking and look at what things you eat, the more sugary stuff you eat or drink the more chance there is of having tooth decay.

The signs of a dental abscess are toothaches, swelling of the gum or face, loose or tender teeth, feeling unwell, having a temperature and trouble with swallowing . If you feel you have an abscess in your mouth, you need to visit your dentist asap. He / She will drain the pus which can often relieve the pain, they will then advise you on any further measures you need to take. If left you are putting the health of your teeth and even yourself at risk, abscesses need treatment.

                                                           There is also gingival abscess wherein it involves only the gum tissue, without affecting the tooth or the periodontal ligament. Prevention is important because if untreated, severe abscess may become large and may worsen.
                                Braces can also cause dental abscesses when the wire hits the gums. It mostly happens to people who had their first time braces. Although, abscesses have a lot of remedies, it is still better visit your trusted dentist for consultation.

In summary Take Care Of Your Teeth.