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A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms due to a bacterial infection in or around a tooth. While it sounds alarming, it’s your body’s response to unwanted bacteria invading your tooth.
If left untreated, a dental abscess can cause bacteria to reach the tooth’s inner pulp or the surrounding gum tissue, resulting in pain, swelling, and a feeling of unease.
According to Dr. Nandita Lilly, one of NewMouth’s in-house dentists, “A dental abscess, if not treated accordingly, can lead to hospitalization. In some cases, it can be fatal.”
Three main types of dental abscesses form in different regions around a tooth. These include:
Inflammation of the gums or a tooth abscess
Inflammation of the gums or a tooth abscess
Inflammation of the gums or a tooth abscess
Depending on the type of dental abscess and how long it has been progressing, common symptoms may include:
The most dangerous symptoms of a dental abscess are having problems with breathing, swallowing, or opening your mouth (lockjaw). You should also call your doctor if you have a high fever and facial swelling around your throat or eyes.
These are warning signs that your body needs immediate medical attention. Getting immediate treatment can stop the infection before it compromises your health.
The most common cause of a dental abscess is neglecting oral hygiene. This can lead to a multitude of dental problems that can cause a dental abscess.
Other causes include:
A dental abscess doesn’t happen overnight. It develops slowly, gradually building up from tooth decay to severe complications.
The stages of abscess formation may include:
The first stage is damage to the enamel or outer layer of the tooth. Plaque buildup on a tooth can often lead to enamel decay.
Some people may not experience symptoms because the decay is far from the nerve inside the tooth. Others develop tooth sensitivity or decalcified white spots prone to enamel breakdown.
If you don’t treat your enamel decay, it will progress to the dentin layer of your tooth. Dentin is a bone-like, yellow-hued structure under the tooth’s enamel layer.
Many people experience increased tooth sensitivity during this stage of decay, and for others, a small hole may develop in the tooth.
If untreated, the decay will progress to the pulp, the innermost layer of your tooth. This layer contains nerves, blood vessels, specialized cells, and connective tissues.
If bacteria reach this layer, they can attack the tooth’s nerve, causing severe pain. Eventually, the tooth’s nerve dies, and an abscess forms.
Once the bacteria reach your pulp, they can spread deeper into your gums or jawbone. Your gums may begin to swell, and you may notice a pimple-like bump on your gums.
The abscess formation may cause throbbing pain in your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues.
Leaving your tooth abscess untreated could lead to serious complications. For instance, severe tooth decay can cause your tooth to break and require extraction.
One of the more severe complications is sepsis. This is a life-threatening condition that happens when bacteria spreads to your bloodstream.
Other conditions include:
A tooth abscess will not go away on its own. If a dentist does not drain it, it can spread to other areas of the body, including the jaw, head, neck, and bloodstream.
Three treatment options are available, depending on the type and severity of the infection. They are:
Many dentists recommend taking OTC painkillers while you wait for treatment. You can also take them after treatment alongside the antibiotics your dentist may prescribe.
After an extraction, the infection will drain through the empty socket. The area can take ten days to a few weeks to fully recover after treatment.
Your dentist will schedule check-ups with you to ensure proper recovery. You may still have an infection if you are experiencing:
The best way to prevent most oral conditions and diseases is to have good oral hygiene. This involves:
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