What is a Tooth Abscess?
Understanding This Painful Dental Problem
At Herald Avenue Dental Centre in Willetton, we often see patients experiencing severe dental pain, and sometimes, the culprit is a tooth abscess.
An abscess can be incredibly uncomfortable and is a clear sign that something serious is happening inside your mouth that requires immediate attention. Understanding what an abscess is and why it forms is important for your dental health.
Simply put, a tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms due to a bacterial infection. This infection can develop in different parts of your tooth or gums, but it always signals that bacteria have found a way to invade and cause significant inflammation.
Where Do Tooth Abscesses Form?
There are two main types of tooth abscesses, depending on where the infection originates:
Periapical Abscess
This is the most common type and forms at the tip of the tooth’s root. It usually happens when bacteria enter the dental pulp (the innermost part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels) through a cavity, crack, or chip. Once inside, the infection spreads down to the root tip and out into the surrounding bone.
Periodontal Abscess
This type of abscess forms in the gums next to the root of a tooth. It’s often associated with advanced gum disease (periodontitis), where bacteria accumulate in pockets between the tooth and gum, leading to infection. It can also occur if food gets trapped and infected in these pockets.
What Causes a Tooth Abscess?
The root cause of any tooth abscess is a bacterial infection. Here’s how these infections typically start:
- Untreated Cavities: This is a major factor. If a cavity isn’t filled, bacteria can burrow deeper and deeper into the tooth, eventually reaching the pulp.
- Cracked or Chipped Teeth: Even a tiny crack can create an entry point for bacteria to reach the sensitive inner parts of your tooth.
- Severe Gum Disease: Periodontitis creates deep pockets around the teeth, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply and cause an infection in the gum tissue.
- Dental Trauma: An injury to a tooth, even if it doesn’t crack, can sometimes damage the pulp or lead to infection years later.
When bacteria invade, your body’s immune system sends white blood cells to fight the infection. The accumulation of these dead cells, bacteria, and tissue debris forms pus, which then collects in a confined space, creating the abscess.
Tooth Abscess Symptoms
A tooth abscess usually announces its presence with clear and often intense symptoms:
- Severe, Persistent Toothache: This is often the hallmark symptom. The pain can be sharp, throbbing, or shooting, and it might radiate to your ear, jaw, or neck. It often worsens when you lie down.
- Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
- Pain When Chewing or Biting: Pressure on the affected tooth can be excruciating.
- Swelling: You might notice swelling in your face, cheek, jaw, or neck. Gums around the tooth may also be swollen, red, and tender.
- Pimple-like Bump: A small, pimple-like bump on the gums near the affected tooth might appear, which may release pus if it ruptures.
- Fever: A general sign of infection in the body.
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes in your neck or under your jaw might become tender and swollen.
- Foul Taste or Odour: If the abscess drains, you might experience a sudden rush of foul-tasting or smelling fluid in your mouth.
Why Is Fast Treatment Essential?
A tooth abscess is not something that will go away on its own. It requires professional dental treatment immediately. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of your face and neck, and in rare but serious cases, even to other parts of your body. The infection can also damage surrounding teeth and bone.
Herald Avenue Dental Centre in Willetton
If you suspect you have a tooth abscess, contact us or book an appointment online without delay. We can diagnose the problem and provide the necessary treatment to relieve your pain, eliminate the infection, and protect your overall health. Your smile and well-being are our top priority.
