Dental Abscess Symptoms and Causes
An abscess can develop in any biological tissue and is caused by bacterial infection. When infection isn’t treated, the body tries to fight it by forming a pocket of pus. This can happen in the oral cavity, too, where it is referred to as a dental abscess. Abscess can form near the root tip of a tooth or in the gums alongside the root of a tooth, though most dental abscesses occur near the tip of the root. These abscesses are called periapical abscesses, and they most frequently occur because of untreated tooth decay, as a result of injury, or following prior dental treatments. Fractures in the teeth facilitate the entry of bacteria into the vital pulp inside a tooth’s root, leading to infection. These dental fractures could be chips or cracks in the teeth, or they could be areas of untreated decay; wherever the protective layer of dental enamel is compromised and the underlying dentin is exposed, the tooth is vulnerable to bacterial invasion. When infection combines with inflammation and the immune system overloads, an abscess develops at the deepest tip of the tooth root, where the tooth is nestled in the jaw.
Because of the complexity of their location, dental abscesses can cause a profound toothache, and the pain could radiate into the jaw, the ear, the face, or the neck. The pain is often throbbing and severe, and the lymph nodes in particular may feel tender or appear swollen. Usually, there is a noticeably foul odor and lingering taste associated with dental abscess. The tooth may also be particularly sensitive to extreme temperatures or to the pressures of eating and chewing, and the dental abscess could also cause noticeable swelling in the cheek, neck, or face. This swelling could interfere with your ability to swallow, and if facial or neck swelling interferes with your ability to breathe comfortably, or if you have symptoms of a dental abscess and also have a fever, seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms may point to systemic, potentially life-threatening infection and require emergency treatment.
Sometimes, patients experience a sudden relief of symptoms, accompanied by a rush of salty, foul fluid in the mouth. While the pain may have abated, this is the sign of a ruptured abscess and treatment is imperative. Treating a dental abscess sooner than later reduces risks and may help preserve the tooth, and you should contact your dentist if you notice any indication that you might have a dental abscess; it won’t go away on its own.
To prevent abscesses from developing, take care of your teeth and your gums, brushing and flossing regularly, seeing your dentist for checkups, and maintaining a nutritious diet. When a dental abscess does develop, the primary aim of treatment is to remove and prevent infection, with the overarching goal of saving the tooth whenever possible. If the infection is severe and if the tooth is significantly damaged, the tooth may need to be extracted. An abscessed tooth is painful, which should be enough motivation to seek treatment; it’s important to know, however, that pain isn’t the only drawback of a dental abscess. When left untreated, a dental abscess can lead to multiple uncomfortable and unpleasant complications, and it could even be life-threatening.