A tooth abscess is a buildup of pus around the teeth, gums, and bones. In most cases, it results from bacterial infection. For instance, poor dental hygiene results in tooth cavities. If left untreated, bacteria can enter the tooth and spread to the inner parts, causing irritation and inflammation. If left untreated, pus may collect at the tip of the root, causing constant toothache and discomfort.
What Are The Risk Factors For Dental Abscess?
The leading causes of abscesses are gum disease, tooth decay, or tooth injury. However, some factors can increase the risk of dental abscess. For instance, poor dental habits raise the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. If left untreated, bacteria can gain access to the deeper tissues, leading to swelling and the collection of pus.
Smoking is another risk factor for tooth abscesses. It contributes to a dry mouth, creating a good breeding area for bacteria. This increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, if you consume a diet high in sugar, you are at risk of dental cavities. This, in turn, results in a dental abscess.
How Can You Know If You Have A Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess can be life-threatening because the infection can spread to the blood and other body parts if left untreated. You may also be at risk of losing your tooth. In this case, learning the early signs of dental abscesses is vital so you can seek professional help soon. A dental abscess can present itself as a pimple on the surfaces of the teeth or gums. This is an infection-filled pimple that contains pus and may not clear on its own.
You may also experience gum swelling, toothache, change in tooth color, and sensitivity to hot and cold. As the infection spreads, swelling will put pressure on the jaw and gums, resulting in severe pain that is not easy to ignore. Sometimes, the symptoms may go away on their own, but this does not mean that the dental abscess is gone. In severe cases, the infection can kill the nerves. This means that you will not experience pain, and the infection will spread silently, damaging the mouth and other body parts. Book an appointment with us to learn more about tooth abscess and for a dental checkup.
