(Abscess of the teeth, teeth with abscess)

What is Dental abscess (Definition)

Dental abscess is the accumulation of pus (infected material) in a tooth or gum. There are two types of dental abscesses:

Pulp abscess (storage of blood and nerves inside the tooth)
Abscess between the tooth and the gum

Dental abscess Causes

A dental abscess is caused by bacteria. It originates when bacteria invade and infect a tooth. This produces an accumulation of pus. When the pus can not be drained, an abscess forms.

Conditions that allow bacteria to invade a tooth:

• Severe dental caries
• Rupture or crack in a tooth that allows the bacteria to invade the pulp

Food or other foreign material that is trapped between the tooth and the gum can cause a bacterial infection in the area around the tooth.

Dental abscess Risk factors

These factors increase the likelihood of developing a dental abscess. Tell the dentist if you have any of these risk factors:

• Accumulation of tartar below the gum line
• Inadequate fluoride application in the teeth, using fluoridated water, toothpaste or mouth rinses
• Poor dental hygiene (which causes tooth decay and periodontal diseases)
• Malnutrition, including severe deficiencies of vitamins and minerals

Dental abscess Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, do not consider it to be due to a dental abscess. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell the dentist if you have any of these symptoms:

• Throbbing and persistent pain in a tooth or in the area of ​​the gum
• Pain in the teeth when biting
• Spontaneous tooth pain
• Redness, tenderness and swelling of the gums
• Fever
• Swollen cervical lymph nodes
• Tooth discoloration
• Bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth
  Open sore and oozing in the gums

If left untreated, the complications of a dental abscess may include:

• Loss of tooth and surrounding tissues or bones
• Spread of infection to surrounding tissues or bones

Dental abscess Diagnosis

The dentist will interrogate you about the symptoms and medical history, and perform a detailed examination of the teeth and gums.

The dentist will check the tooth to measure pain and sensitivity by:

• Light blow of the tooth
• Stimulation of the dental nerve with heat or cold
• Stimulation of the dental nerve with slight electrical impulses
• Placement of a probe between the tooth and the gum to measure gaps or loss of tissue

The dentist will also take an x-ray of the tooth and the surrounding bone.

Dental abscess Treatment

Removal of the abscess through endodontics

If the abscess comes from decay or rupture in the tooth:

• The tooth and the surrounding tissue is numbed, and a hole is made through the top of the tooth.
• Pus and dead tissue is removed from the center of the tooth.
• The inside of the tooth and the root canals (nerve) are cleaned and filled with filling.
• A crown is placed on the tooth to protect it.

If the abscess is due to an infection between the tooth and the gum:

• The abscess is drained and cleaned carefully.
• The surface of the tooth root is cleaned and smoothed.
• In some cases, surgery is required to reshape the gum and prevent the recurrence of infections.

Tooth extraction

It may be necessary to remove the tooth if:

• Tooth decay and / or dental infection is too extensive to fill or do endodontics.
• The rupture or crack of the tooth is very serious to be repaired.
• The infection or loss of tissue or bone between the tooth and the gum is serious.
• If the tooth is extracted, it will be replaced with:
• Partial bridge
• Dental prostheses
• Dental implant

Dental abscess Medicines

Antibiotics to attack residual infection in the teeth or gums
Over-the-counter pain medications (ibuprofen or paracetamol) and mouth rinses with warm salt water

Dental abscess Prevention

To reduce the chance of having a tooth abscess, take the following steps:

Appropriate dental hygiene, including:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after meals or at least twice a day
• Flossing daily between teeth and gums ·
• Undergo regular dental check-ups (every six months)
• Undergo a professional cleaning of teeth and gums periodically (every six months)