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Toothache
| Cavities | Abscess
| Discoloured Teeth
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Gingivitis
| Checkup | Care
| Periodontitis
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Dental Abscess
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Dental abscess means the accumulation of pus in or around the root of a tooth. An abscess usually develop as a complication of dental cavities , which gradually destroys the layer of enamel on the outside of the tooth and the inner dentine, allowing bacteria to invade the soft central core, or pulp, of the tooth. Eventually , a dental abscess may form.
If a tooth is damaged by a blow to the mouth the pulp may also be infected.An abscess may also form as a result of certain forms of gum disease. Periodontitis is usually caused by a buildup of dental plaque (a deposit including food particles, mucus, and bacteria) in a pocket that forms between a tooth and gum.
A dental abscess can be severely painful and may cause the affected tooth to loosen in its socket.
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Symptoms
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The main symptoms of gradual development of dental abscess may include:
- Dull aching around one or both of the cheekbones. Severe pain on touching the affected tooth and on biting or chewing. Loosening of the affected tooth
- Release of pus into the mouth.
- Red, tender swelling of the gum over the root of the tooth.
- If the abscess is not treated, the infection may make a channel from the tooth to the surface of the gum, and a painful swelling known as a gumboil may form.
- If the gumboil bursts the pus is released and the pain decreases.
- In certain cases, the channel may persist, leading to a chronic
abscess that discharges pus periodically.
- If the infection spreads to surrounding tissues, your face may become swollen and painful, and you may also develop a fever.
- If you suspect that you have a dental abscess, you should consult your dentist immediately.
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Treatment
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- In case there is a delay in visiting your dentist you can try taking analgesics such as acetaminophen, to relieve the pain.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water it will help to reduce pain and encourage a gumboil to burst.
- If a gumboil does burst, wash away the pus thoroughly with more warm salt water.
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Diagnosis
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- Dentist will ask you about your symptoms and examine your teeth and gums.
- X-ray of your mouth is taken to confirm the diagnosis.
- If the abscess has been caused by decay, dentist may try to save the tooth. Under local anesthesia, a hole is drilled through the top of the tooth to release the pus and relieve the pain the pain.
- If there is a gumboil, to frail the pus a small cut is made in the boil .
- The cavity is then cleaned using an antiseptic solution.
- A small tube may be left in place for a few days a course of antibiotics is also prescribed.
- Once the infection has cleared up, you will probably need root canal treatment but if the tooth cannot be saved it must be extracted.
- To treat an abscess caused by gum disease, your dentist may use a probe to scrape out the plaque from the pocket between the affected tooth and gum.
- Afterward, the pocket is washed out with an antiseptic solution.
- The tooth may be extracted in severe cases.
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Prognosis
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- Mostly the treatment is successful, but a small area of infection may persist and further treatment may be required.
- To prevent the formation of a dental abscess, brush and floss your teeth and gums regularly.
- Colour of the tooth varies from person to person, and the secondary teeth also normally darken slightly with age. However, abnormal discoloration may occur because of changes in the teeth.
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