Read more about dental abscesses and contact us for further questions.
What is a dental abscess?
An abscess is a collection of pus and inflammation that usually occurs around the apex of the tooth root or in a gum pocket. The inflamed area will grow larger within a few days and as a result of swelling and tension, it will cause pain in the mouth.
When the abscess can no longer retain pressure, it will burst and the inflammation will drain. This will temporarily remove the pain from the tension, which will be replaced by soreness around the area.
In the meantime, it is important to determine the root cause of the abscess and have it completely removed. If the original cause is not identified and treated, you risk the abscess coming back and causing further complications.
What are the typical symptoms of a dental abscess?
There are several different symptoms that are not uncommon with a dental abscess. However, the symptoms often depend on the original cause of the abscess.
However, the most common symptoms are:
- Redness and swelling
- Soreness when swallowing and around the jaw
- Fever
- Throbbing pain
- If your abscess bursts, you'll have no doubt about the nasty taste in your mouth.
Why do you get dental abscesses?
It's hard to say exactly who is affected by a dental abscess. They can happen to anyone, no matter how well we take care of our teeth. However, dental abscesses are most common in those who don't visit the dentist regularly.
A dental abscess is caused by an infection of bacteria. The infection usually occurs in dead tissue, where the bacteria penetrates and causes inflammation. For example, the bacteria can enter if the tooth has a deep cavity (caries).
If the inflammation doesn't have a chance to escape, it will build up in the tissue and form an abscess.
There are two main reasons why dental abscesses occur:
That the nerve of the tooth is dead
The nerve can die as a result of:
- A blow that has caused trauma
- Caries - a deep hole where bacteria can enter and cause infection
Inflammation of the gingival pocket
This can be caused by the following:
- Something in the pocket that irritates surrounding tissue, such as a piece of food or tartar
- Teeth that are emerging in the mouth where there is no room, such as wisdom teeth.
How is a dental abscess treated?
The most important thing when treating a dental abscess is to remove the inflammation and relieve the pain. Therefore, the dentist will first make sure to stop the inflammation and prevent it from spreading.
Next, the treatment depends on the original cause of the abscess and where it is located. Your dentist will be able to determine this and thus clarify which treatment will be relevant for you.
What can I do myself?
There are a few things you can do to treat your abscess yourself. If the abscess is large and painful, you can puncture it with a sterile needle.
This will relieve the pain from the tension but replace it with tenderness around the area. The abscess can grow back and can only be removed by finding the original cause.
That's why it's important to go to the dentist if you already suspect an incipient abscess. It is often necessary for the dentist to take x-rays to determine the cause and thus what treatment can help.
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