Dental Abscess Symptoms and Causes

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that is brought about by a bacterial infection. An abscess can form at different areas around a tooth for several reasons. A periapical abscess forms at the tip of the tooth root. A periodontal abscess develops in the soft tissue of your gums at the side of a tooth root.

A periapical tooth abscess is most often the result of an untreated cavity, an injury to the tooth or even prior dental work. The ensuing infection, with irritation, swelling, and inflammation, can easily create an abscess at the tip of the root.

Your dentist will treat a tooth abscess by draining it and removing the infection. They may be able to save the tooth with a root canal procedure. In some cases, the damaged tooth might need to be extracted. Ignoring a tooth abscess and leaving it untreated can quickly escalate into serious complications, even some life-threatening possibilities.

Common Causes for an Abscess

A periapical tooth abscess occurs when bacteria invade the living pulp chamber at the center of the tooth. The pulp chamber contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

Infective bacteria will enter through a dental cavity, a crack, chip, or a broken tooth and spread down to the root. Bacterial infection will then cause swelling and inflammation at the tip of the root.

These factors can elevate your risk of a tooth abscess:

  • Poor dental habits and oral care- Not taking the daily proper care of your teeth and gums, such as not brushing your teeth twice a day or flossing at least once, will increase your risk of dental problems. These problems can include tooth decay, gum disease, tooth abscess, and other dental complications.
  • A diet high in sugar- Frequently eating and drinking foods high in sugar, like soda and sweets, will increase the risk of dental cavities and therefore the associated risk of a tooth abscess.
  • Dry mouth- Having a dry mouth will also increase the risk of tooth decay. Dry mouth is quite often a side effect of some medications or issues simply related to aging.

Common Signs and Symptoms of an Abscess

Signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess can include:

  • A constant, throbbing toothache that may spread into your jawbone, ear, or neck.
  • Pain or discomfort with biting and chewing.
  • Increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
  • An increase in temperature, or a fever.
  • Swelling or inflammation in your cheek, face, or your neck can lead to difficulty with either breathing or swallowing.
  • Tender, swollen lymph nodes in your neck.
  • A constant foul odor in your mouth.
  • A sudden rush of foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief, when the abscess ruptures.

When to See Your Dentist

Schedule an appointment with your dentist promptly if you have any symptoms of a tooth abscess. If you have a fever and some swelling in your face and you cannot see your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble swallowing or breathing. These symptoms usually indicate that the infection has spread into your jaw, throat or neck or even other areas of your body.

Extracting Abscessed Tooth