Dental Abscess Symptoms and Causes
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that is the result of a bacterial infection. An abscess can develop at various areas around a tooth for a number of reasons. A periapical abscess can form at the tip of the tooth root. A periodontal abscess can develop in the soft tissue of your gums along the side of a tooth root.
A periapical tooth abscess is usually the result of an untreated cavity, an unfortunate injury to the tooth or even previous dental work. The infection, with its irritation and inflammation, can create an abscess at the tip of the root.
Your dentist will treat the tooth abscess by draining it and removing all infection. They might be able to save the tooth with a root canal. In some situations, the damaged tooth may need to be extracted. Ignoring the tooth abscess and leaving it untreated can very quickly escalate into more serious complications, even life-threatening possibilities.
Common Causes for an Abscess
A periapical tooth abscess happens when bacteria invade the pulp chamber at the center of the tooth. The pulp chamber is full of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.
Infective bacteria enter through a dental cavity, a chip, crack, or a broken tooth and then spread into the root. Bacterial infection will cause swelling and inflammation at the tip of the root.
These factors can increase your risk of a tooth abscess:
- Poor oral care- By not exercising the proper care of your teeth and gums daily, like not brushing your teeth twice a day or flossing once, you will increase your risk of dental problems. These problems include tooth decay, gum disease, tooth abscess, as well as other dental complications.
- Too much sugar in your diet- By frequently eating or drinking foods high in sugar, like soda and sweets, this will increase the risk of cavities and the risk of a tooth abscess.
- Dry mouth- Having a dry mouth can also increase the risk of tooth decay. Dry mouth is often a side effect of some medications or simply related to aging.
Common Signs and Symptoms of an Abscess
Symptoms of a tooth abscess can include:
- A throbbing toothache that could spread into your jawbone, ear, or neck.
- An increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
- Pain or discomfort with either biting or chewing.
- A fever or an increase in temperature.
- Swelling in your cheek, face, or your neck which can lead to difficulty with either swallowing or breathing.
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes in your neck.
- A foul odor in your mouth.
- A rush of foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and diminished pain when the abscess ruptures.
When to See Your Dentist
Schedule an appointment to see your dentist promptly if you have any symptoms suggesting a tooth abscess. If you have a fever or swelling in your face and you cannot see your dentist, then go to an emergency room. Also visit the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms often indicate that the infection is spreading into your jaw, throat or neck or other areas of your body.