Dental abscess is collection of pus in the tooth following any infection, and it can be within the tooth in the roots, near the gums, or in the alveolar bone which surrounds the tooth.
Causes:
- Tooth decay – Tooth decay can be some infection due to micro organisms, which can decay the internal parts of the tooth like pulp, root etc. This tooth decay can be only within the tooth, or sometimes can spread to the underlying tissues like Gingiva, or the surrounding bone.
- Foreign body – Any foreign body like food particles or bacteria which are trapped in the tissues can cause infection.
- Injury – Trauma, means sudden injury to the tooth can cause dental abscess formation.
Symptoms:
- Stimulated or non-stimulated pain. You feel pain sometimes when you are chewing food or sometimes when at rest.
- Redness in the tissue where infection has occurred and accumulation of pus has occurred.
- Foul tasting discharge within the mouth from the place where infection has occurred.
- Rise of temperature at that particular place.
- Foul breath.
Treatment of Dental Abscess:
Treatment of the abscess includes the removal of the source, then the reduction of symptoms. First, there should be drainage of the pus collected. If there is pus within the tooth in the roots, then Root canal treatment has to be done. And if its in the surrounding tissues, then incising and drainage of the pus should be done.
Antibiotics are administered for removal and destroying of bacteria that caused the infection, and Pain relievers/analgesics are administered for relief of pain due to the infection and inflammation.
Prevention:
There is no preventive measure as no one can be sure when the infection can occur, or injury. But still, its always advised to maintain good dental habits.
If you have a broken tooth or tooth fracture, contact the emergency dentist as soon as possible. If the tooth is knocked out, place it in a glass of milk, call our office, and there is a good chance some dentist can re-implant it. Try not to touch the root portion of the tooth, I had some prob similar either I contacted
Sydney Dentist
This picture can definitely make people think about taking more care of their dental health. Prevention is very important and your dentist can help you with it.
Great photo, looks like it’s ready to pop at any moment!.
hi over the past 8 months 5 of my teeth have started 2 rot ive been on a methadone clinic now 9 months i was wondering if it is that has doe it to my teeth? i brush my teeth twice a day. + im afraid 2 go 2 the dentist! what shud i do? thanks
hi i too am on methadone and hadn’t even had a cavity for the first 17 years of my life. i have been on continuous for about a year and a half. i have had 2 extractions(abcessed)and have lost another 4 as well as several partial.They break more everyday. All websites say no connection but I can’t see how it can’t be related. I am in horrible pain all the time!
Erin and Michelle-
Visit a dentist immediately. The problems will only get worst. If payment is a problem, speak with your counselors, or someone in your local city or county clinic, and perhaps they can give you some direction, that is, were can get low cost or free treatment and care. Don’t forget to check online for local help. Good luck to you both.
mmmm i have one but my mom wont take me to the dentist until late this month 🙁 So how long does it take for one to become fatal or become so intense that you need to remove your tooth? I know I have one becasue I match all of the symptom except for pus. I brush two times a day and I never drink pop or orange juice because they have too much acid and my teeth are WEAK! Its the beginning of May so I have about 31 days. Is there anything I can do here at home until I can get to the dentist? My abcess or whatever is starting to reach down my top lip to the outside a little. HELP!