Tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that is caused due to a bacterial infection. It can develop at diverse regions of the tooth for varying reasons. Anyone faced with this condition needs to visit an experienced dentist like Dr. Kami Hoss at once. Dentists generally treat tooth abscess by draining it out and getting rid of the infection. While in certain cases the tooth may need to be pulled, mostly dentists are able to save the tooth through a root canal treatment. It is not recommended to leave a tooth abscess untreated as it can eventually lead to much severe issues.
Any person, right from kids to elderly individuals can get a tooth abscess. This issue does not get better on its own. One would require treatment from a good from a dentist or endodontist to save their tooth. In case a person doesn’t get the condition treated in time, the infection might spread beyond the jaw to the head, neck and even other body parts.
A tooth is hard from the outside; however, from inside it is just filled with pulp that is made of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. At times, it can get infected due to a cracked tooth, deep cavity or tooth decay, as well as gum disease or periodontal disease. In case a person doesn’t treat the infection in time, it can kill the pulp inside the tooth and lead to an abscess. Tooth abscess can be of two types. The first one is periapical abscess that forms at the tip of the root of the tooth. The second one is periodontal abscess that affects the bone next to the tooth. A person can get more than just one abscess. Moreover, one abscess might travel through the bone and end up showing up in several spots. However, each of them is related to just one tooth. People who do not brush their teeth at least twice a day or has a lot of sugary food are likely to experience tooth abscess. Sugary drinks and food help bacteria to grow, which eventually leads to cavities and other issues.
People suffering from tooth abscess might feel sharp, throbbing pain around the infected tooth when they apply pressure to it. This pain can even spread to the jaw and other parts of the face on the side that has been infected. Other symptoms of this infection include:
- Swelling
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Puffy gums
- A bad odor when chewing with infected tooth
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Gum redness
- Bad taste
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
People suffering from any indication of tooth abscess needs to visit an experienced dentist like Dr. Kami Hoss at once. At times, abscess may cause a pimple-like bump on the gums. In case a person presses over it and liquid oozes out, then there is a good chance that they have an abscessed tooth.
