What is an Abscessed Tooth

There are a variety of medical conditions that you likely never want to experience. Broken bones, ulcers, and root canal to name a few. One medical issue that many patients fear is a tooth abscess. An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by an infection somewhere in your tooth. There are different types of abscesses depending on where they occur.

Types of Tooth Abscesses

A periapical abscess is a tooth abscess that occurs near the tip of the tooth’s root, or where the tooth connects to the jawline. These often occur because of untreated dental cavities or tooth decay in general. Periodontal abscesses occur in the gums on the side of the tooth root. Dentists will drain tooth abscesses and then get rid of the infection. In some cases, this means a tooth will need to be extracted and replaced with a dental implant or bridge.

Symptoms of An Abscessed Tooth

There are a variety of symptoms that may indicate that you have a tooth abscess. If you are concerned that you have a tooth abscess you should immediately call a dentist and set up an appointment. The following symptoms should all be cause for concern:

• Toothache: Severe toothache especially near the jaw, neck, or ear are all signs of abscesses
• Tempearture Sensitivity: If you experience severe painful sensitivity to hot or cold foods this could be a sign of tooth decay that could lead to a tooth abscess
• Fever: If you have a fever that is linked to other mouth pain or sensitivity this could be signs of a dangerous oral infection
• Swelling: Swelling around your face and cheek are also signs of an infection
• Tender Lymph Nodes: if you notice swelling or tender lymph nodes under your jaw or neck this could be a sign of an infection
• Abscess Rupturing: If there is a sudden rush of foul-tasting, slaty fluid in your mouth along with pain relief, this is a sign that you have an abscess and it ruptured. You should immediately see a dentist.
• Difficulty Swallowing: If you have difficulty swallowing this could be a sign of a tooth abcess

Tooth Abscess Causes

The main cause of a tooth abscess is an infection. When bacteria enter the dental pulp of a tooth this can cause a t painful infection that leads to an abscess. Bacteria can enter a tooth through a chip, crack, or dental cavity and spread all the way down to the root of the tooth. This is why fillings and crowns need to be placed early when there is an infection. Poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, and diets with large amounts of sugar and acid all increase the risk of dental decay and could lead to a tooth abscess.

When To See A Dentist

If you have any signs or symptoms of a tooth abscess you should make an immediate emergency appointment with a local dentist. Fever and swelling around the face are chief indicators of an infection. If you are having trouble breathing or swallowing you should immediately go to an emergency room.

Visit A Dentist in Revere MA

Good dental health and regular dental visits can help prevent dental issues and infections. Our office in Revere provides regular cleanings and check-ups that can help prevent the root causes of dental abscesses. Contact us to set up an appointment. In a life-threatening emergency please seek immediate care at a hospital’s emergency room.