A dental abscess is a painful bacterial infection that causes pus to build up at the root of the tooth or between the tooth and the gum. It usually develops as a result of bad tooth decay, neglected dental disease, or trauma to the teeth. Periapical abscesses form under the tooth, while periodontal abscesses affect the area surrounding the bone and gum. While you may not have any symptoms at first, a tooth abscess can create serious health problems. It is important to learn to recognize this early, so as to prevent the infection from spreading further.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing Dental Abscess
Step 1. Pay attention to toothache
This is one of the most common symptoms of abscess. The cause is due to pus compressing the tooth's nerves. You may experience throbbing pain around the tooth, a twinge, or nagging pain in the mouth area. Chewing may be painful, and you may also suffer from insomnia due to the pain.
- The pain can be localized around the tooth, but also radiate to the ears, jaw, or cheeks.
- The pain may be accompanied by the sensation that the tooth is rocking.
- If the severe toothache goes away, don't assume the abscess has resorbed. It is much more likely that it killed the root of the tooth and that the infection actually remained.
Step 2. Pay attention to any kind of pain when you eat or drink
The abscess can cause pain when you chew, it can also make your teeth sensitive to heat or cold. If these symptoms remain, you need to seek medical attention.
Step 3. Check for swelling
As the infection increases, you may notice swelling inside the mouth. The gums may appear red, swollen, and become sensitive. These are quite typical symptoms in the case of a periodontal abscess.
The gum can also swell over the infected tooth and form a kind of pimple
Step 4. Pay attention if you experience a bitter taste in your mouth or have bad breath
If the abscess breaks, you can taste or smell the pus. The taste could be quite bitter; go to the dentist immediately.
Step 5. Look for other symptoms
As the abscess gets worse, you may also have a fever and difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing. The glands may swell, as may the jaw or jaw. It is quite normal to feel a general sense of discomfort. If you complain of these symptoms, make an urgent appointment with your dentist.
Step 6. Get medical attention from your dentist
If you have noticed the symptoms and signs described so far, go to the doctor. He will gently tap the tooth to see if it is sensitive and will most likely give you an x-ray. At the end of the visit, you will be able to determine with certainty if you have a dental abscess.
Know that this is a serious problem. You should go to the dentist as soon as possible for him to identify the source of the infection, prescribe painkillers and antibiotics, and treat the abscess itself (through drainage, root canal therapy, or extraction)
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Dental Abscess
Step 1. Maintain good oral hygiene habits
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once. If you neglect cleaning your teeth, you run a greater risk of dental abscesses.
Step 2. Avoid sugary foods
If you constantly eat foods rich in sugar (such as candy or chocolate), you expose yourself more to tooth decay, which in turn leads to abscesses. Some sugar-containing foods are entirely allowed in your diet, but you should consume them in moderation and, if possible, brush your teeth immediately afterwards.
Step 3. Pay attention to tooth decay and fractures
If you neglect a tooth decay or a rupture of the dental crown that reaches the pulp (the inside of the tooth), then you could develop an abscess; in fact, the infection is caused by bacteria that reach the "living" internal part of the tooth. Try to make an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible and pay attention to the symptoms.
Caries and fractures typically lead to periapical abscesses
Step 4. Monitor the gums
An injury to these delicate mucous membranes could result in an abscess. Gum disease leads to detachment between the tooth and the gum itself, so bacteria can penetrate this space more easily and cause infection, despite the tooth being intact and without cavities. If you have gum problems, check for abscess symptoms carefully.
Injuries and gum disease can cause a particular type of infection called a "gum abscess". If the infection reaches the periodontal pocket and blocks the pus from escaping, then you are faced with a "periodontal abscess"
Advice
Get regular checkups at your dentist to get timely diagnoses and prevent cavities. This way you reduce the risk of abscesses
Warnings
- Do not try to cure the tooth abscess on your own. In the end, you will still need the intervention of a dentist.
- If you experience severe pain or have difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room right away for immediate treatment.
