Do you know that pus infection in your teeth can damage your overall health? Read to know how abscess tooth can damage your health.
Abscess Tooth
A tooth abscess is like a painful bump or pimple caused by a bacterial infection in your mouth. This infection can happen for different reasons in different parts of your tooth.
Types
Here are a few types of abscess tooth:
Gingival Abscess: This infection happens in your gums and doesn’t usually affect your tooth.
Periapical Abscess: This infection occurs at the tip of your tooth’s root. If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, bacteria can enter and cause an infection. The tooth infection can spread to the root and surrounding bone, creating an abscess.
Periodontal Abscess: This infection starts in the bone and tissues supporting your teeth and is often linked to gum disease. It’s more common in adults.
In all cases, a tooth abscess is a severe and painful dental problem that needs attention from a dentist to treat the infection and relieve your pain.
Effect of Abscess Tooth
If you don’t care for an abscess tooth, it can cause severe problems in your mouth and even affect your overall health. The infection spreads to your jawbone the soft parts of your face and neck, and in extremely rare cases, it can reach your heart (causing endocarditis) or your brain (causing bacterial meningitis).
Who Gets Abscess Teeth?
Some people are more likely to get abscess tooth if they:
Smokers: People who smoke have a higher chance of getting tooth abscesses compared to those who don’t smoke.
Have a Dry Mouth (xerostomia): Bacteria like to grow in a mouth with less saliva so that a dry mouth can lead to abscesses.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing, flossing, and getting regular dental cleanings can allow bacteria to thrive in your mouth.
Have a Weakened Immune System: Certain diseases or medications can weaken your body’s ability to fight germs, making it easier for abscesses to form.
Symptoms
If you have an abscessed tooth, you might feel pain that can be described as:
- Aching or throbbing.
- Sharp or shooting.
- Constant or only when you chew.
- Spreading to your jaw, neck, or ear.
Other symptoms of an abscess tooth are:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods.
- A bitter taste in your mouth.
- Bad breath.
- Red and swollen gums.
- Loosening of the affected tooth.
- Swelling in your jaw.
- A sore that’s draining pus on the side of your gums.
You might also experience more general symptoms like:
- Fever.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Feeling generally unwell or uncomfortable.
Causes
Abscess tooth happens when bacteria enter your tooth or the surrounding tissues. This can be caused by:
Severe Cavities: When bacteria break down sugars in your food, they create acid that attacks your tooth’s hard surface, leading to cavities.
Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Teeth: Any opening in your tooth allows bacteria to enter and cause an infection.
Gum Disease: It is an infection and inflammation of the tissues around your teeth. As gum disease gets worse, bacteria can reach deeper tissues.
Tooth Injury: Even if there’s no visible crack, trauma to a tooth can harm the inner part, making it vulnerable to infection.
Diagnosis
To find out if you have an abscess tooth, your dentist will:
- Look closely at your tooth and the surrounding area to check for signs of infection.
- Suggest a dental X-ray to see if there are dental problems that might have caused the abscess. X-rays can also show if the infection has spread to other areas.
- Recommend a CT scan if the infection has spread to your neck to see how far it has gone.
- Gently tap and press on your teeth to see if the one with the abscess is sensitive to touch or pressure.
- Conduct thermal tests to check the health of your tooth’s inner part (pulp). These tests help your dentist figure out if the pulp is affected by the infection.
Treatment
To treat an abscess tooth, the primary goals are to eliminate the infection and prevent any complications. There are a few ways to do this:
Incision and Drainage: Your dentist makes a small cut in the abscess to let the pus drain out. They might also place a tiny rubber drain to open the area for the rest of the infection to come out.
Root Canal: This is a common way to remove the infection and save your tooth. It involves removing the infected part inside your tooth and filling it to prevent another infection. After this, your tooth should return to normal, but you might need a dental crown to protect it. With proper care, the restored tooth can last a lifetime.
Tooth Removal: If the abscessed tooth is too damaged to save, your dentist may need to pull it out.
Antibiotics: Your dentist might prescribe antibiotics to help with your treatment. These medicines can fight off any remaining bacteria, but they won’t get rid of the real cause of the infection, which is the affected tooth.
What to Expect After Treatment?
After treatment for a tooth abscess, it should start to get better. You might have temporary sensitivity, and it could take a few days to feel completely well again. However, the exact healing time can vary from person to person, so it’s a good idea to ask your dentist what to expect after your tooth abscess treatment.
Conclusion
The blog guides you on abscess tooth, and their impact on your health. Always consult your dentist if you notice any signs of pus or gum infection.
Contact Dentalsway for more information on how you can prevent abscess teeth.
