A dental abscess may sound frightening, but it is quickly treated and even avoidable
Abscess is a fancy word for an infection. In dentistry there are two main types. A periapical abscess forms at the root of a tooth when either decay reaches the nerve chamber or a traumatic injury or a crack in the tooth damages the nerve. A periodontal abscess occurs when the gum becomes infected. It can affect one or more teeth and lead to extensive periodontal disease — a chronic gum infection that can weaken the bone and, untreated, lead to bone and tooth loss.
What are the symptoms of an abscess?
The most common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Swelling in the face
- Bad breath, a foul or sour taste in the mouth
- Pain in the throat and jaw
- Throbbing toothache that can radiate into the jawbone, the throat or the ear
- Sensitivity to heat or cold lasting longer than a few seconds
In some cases an abscess causes no pain, or the pain varies in frequency and intensity. With a periapical infection, the infection works its way from inside the tooth through the root into the gum and forms a blister. When the blister bursts, the infection begins to drain into the gum tissue and the mouth, the pressure eases and the pain disappears. That does not mean the infection is getting better; it only means the pressure has been released.
Treatment
If you have an abscess there are various treatments. Antibiotics may be prescribed to kill the infection, but the affected tooth, the dying nerve or the periodontal disease still has to be treated. If the abscess is the result of a dying nerve, a root canal treatment may be recommended. Thanks to modern technology this is straightforward. After the infected tissue has been removed, the canals are disinfected and shaped, and a rubbery material called gutta-percha is used to seal them and prevent reinfection. Usually, though not always, a crown is placed on the remaining tooth to prevent further fracture. If you have periodontal disease, root planing and scaling can be carried out. This deep clean is done with an anaesthetic and special instruments. Sometimes a laser is used to sterilise the pocket and prevent reinfection.
Preventing an abscess
A sudden traumatic impact that kills a nerve cannot always be avoided, but there are many ways to prevent decay-related abscesses and periodontal disease.
- Go regularly to your dentist for a professional cleaning
- Brush at least twice a day and use floss
- Replace your toothbrush every three months
- Never share your toothbrush
- Watch your sugar and carbohydrate intake
- Use a fluoride mouthwash before bed
With a little care you can help prevent an abscess and periodontitis — sparing yourself the discomfort and pain of a tooth and the cost of major treatment.
