Abscess tooth or dental abscess is the inflammation of teeth and gums due to infection. It can cause mild to severe pain. Pus or debris particles accumulate to form an abscess on your teeth causing toothache. You need to visit your dentist for treating abscess in your tooth and unlike abscess on any part of your body it will not heal naturally. Bacterial infection is the major cause of tooth abscess which builds up pus, a fluid like substance that contains dead tissues of the cells along with germs. It would cause foul smell on your teeth with pain.
Abscess Tooth Causes :
Infection and poor dental hygiene are the main causes for abscess tooth. Bacteria can grow on the leftover food material on your teeth or on the cavities and penetrate deep into the soft tissues of the oral cavity. This infection can spread from the teeth to the gums causing more complications and throbbing pain.
Abscess Tooth Symptoms :
Some of the common signs of abscess tooth are pain, inflammation (swelling) and redness of the mouth. It would cause sudden throbbing pain and the pain would increase over time. In some people if the infection is severe it can cause swelling of face and mild fever. The gums become tender to touch due to the presence of pus filled abscess. It can cause difficulty to swallow and for some people it would be difficult to open the mouth.
Complications are rare due to dental abscess but the infection would progress if not treated. The bacteria would enter into the gums and cheek and even into the jaw bone causing severe pain. Pus gets collected in the abscess and it becomes worse as time passes. For more severe cases abscess tooth can cause fever, chills, nausea and discomfort.
Diagnosis :