You can have a dental abscess if you have tooth or gum pain and can see pus. The gums and tooth roots are just two parts of the tooth that this mouth infection may impact.
Before visiting a dentist in Northampton for mouth discomfort, it’s crucial to understand the following information.
What Is an Abscessed Tooth?
A bacterial infection or an injury can cause tooth abscesses. They typically originate from tooth fracture periodontal disease and an untreated deeper cavity in the mouth.
While the outside of every tooth is hard, the interior of each tooth is soft and contains blood, arteries, and nerves. Abscesses usually form when bacterial-driven deterioration enters this area and damages the pulp. Other teeth may get infected, and the infection may even migrate to the bone.
Without treatment, a tooth’s interior infection and ensuing abscess won’t go away. It will keep growing until it reaches your jaw, blood vessels, neck, and skull, which might have disastrous consequences.
Infection, discomfort, and drainage are the hallmarks of each of the three forms of tooth abscesses:
- A periodontal abscess is an apparent gum development that damages the tooth supporting bone. Gum disease or an oral wound may be the source of a periodontal abscess.
- Periapical Abscess: This abscess develops towards the end of the tooth’s root due to bacteria getting into the pulp from an untreated cavity or dental disease.
- A gingival abscess can develop when a foreign object is swallowed, bit into, or brushed into your gums, causing irritation, inflammation, and infection.
Potential Causes of Tooth Abscess
An individual is more likely to get a tooth abscess if they:
- Poor dental and oral hygiene
- Weakened or more vulnerable immune systems
- Consumes a lot of sweets
- Dry mouth
An ignored jaw abscess runs the risk of bursting or spreading the infection to your head, nasal cavity, and neck. Sepsis, which can spread throughout the body and raise your risk of contracting a potentially fatal infection, is another risk.
Signs of An Abscessed Tooth
If the abscess is farther back in your mouth, finding it can take a while. You may have an abscess if you encounter any of the following signs:
- Foul breath
- Salty aftertaste
- Red or swollen gums
- Tooth with pain or a sharp feeling
- Chewing, biting, or being in a hot or cold environment causes pain
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
- Mouth swelling in your cheekbones or neck from a fever
- Injury to the gums that results in persistent breathing or swallowing difficulties
Fever and swelling are signs that the infection has spread, so you should seek immediate medical assistance at your dentist’s office or the emergency room.
Treatment for An Abscessed Tooth
To determine how much pain you are in, the holistic dentist in Northampton, MA, will tap or press on the tooth to find the abscess. The abscess can be detected, and whether or not the infection has spread can be determined using X-rays or other imaging techniques.
How to Avoid a Tooth Abscess
You can lessen your chance of developing a tooth abscess by:
- You can reduce the quantity of sugar in your diet and your risk of cavities by brushing for at least two minutes each time and flossing at least once each day.
- Use fluoride-containing toothpaste.
- Use a fluoride-containing mouthwash or antiseptic.
- Every three to four months, change your toothbrush.
- Schedule regular dental cleanings and examinations.
Conclusion
A tooth abscess is an infection that occurs when bacteria or food particles become trapped in the gums and tooth roots and cause an infection. This infection can cause pain, swelling, and sensitivity in the affected area and bad breath.
Tooth abscesses can be treated with antibiotics and may require root canal treatment or tooth extraction. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
Proper dental hygiene and regular dental check-ups with general dentistry in Northampton can help prevent tooth abscesses, but when they do occur, it is important to seek professional treatment right away.
You will receive a high-quality, relaxing dental experience from Northampton Dental Specialists Group, previously known as Clayton and Canby Dental, which has more than 25 years of experience. We can do most operations in our Northampton, Massachusetts, location because of our advanced training in numerous areas of dentistry. Schedule an appointment with a holistic dentist in Northampton, MA, today!
