What Is An Abscessed Tooth?
Many of the most common dental issues have a similar cause: bacteria. Bacteria in the food and beverages we put in our mouths can break down the enamel in our teeth, infect our gums, and eventually lead to tooth loss. An abscessed tooth is one of the ways bacteria can harm your teeth. Simply put, an abscess is a pocket of pus that is created by bacterial infection. There are different types of abscesses that are defined based on where they form. But regardless of the type, an abscess often relates to a larger issue. Abscesses are often a symptom of underlying issues like infections and tooth decay, and if a patient experiences an abscess they should immediately go to the dentist.
Types of Dental Abscesses
Abscesses are often broken into two main groups: periapical and periodontal. The former is an abscess that forms near the root of a tooth. A periodontal abscess forms on the side of a tooth’s root under the gums. Abscesses tend to form due to dental cavities that are left untreated or because of prior dental work. When bacteria gets underneath the gums it leads to infection which results in pockets of pus forming around the roots of the teeth.
How Do You Handle A Dental Abscess
If a dentist finds a dental abscess they will likely treat it by draining it out to get rid of the pus, and will likely recommend either a root canal or tooth extraction depending on the damage to that tooth. A root canal works by removing all of the bacteria and damaged/infected pulp from one of the tooth’s roots. The root is then filled similar to how a cavity is filled. If the tooth is severely infected, a root canal might not be able to save the tooth. In this instance, the tooth would be pulled to prevent further complications and infection. The tooth would then need to be replaced with either a dental bridge or a dental implant.
How Do I Know If I Have A Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a type of infection that causes both localized symptoms and symptoms that can affect the rest of your body. For example, if you have a consistent throbbing toothache near your jaw, neck, or ear, this can be a sign of infection. If it is difficult to chew on certain teeth this would also be a sign of that tooth being infected. But because this is a bacterial infection oyu might also have symptoms like a fever, swollen lymph nodes, or swelling around your face, cheek/neck.
Schedule Adult Dental Exams in Massachusetts
The Varinos Dental Associates group has three dental offices throughout Massachusetts that help adults manage their oral health. If you need to schedule an appointment, please call one of our offices in Peabody, Newburyport, or Winthrop.
