What Are Abscessed Teeth?

An abscess is a tooth infection caused by pus in the tissue surrounding the tooth. Abscesses can be very serious and should be treated promptly. The bacteria that grows from the decayed or damaged pulp of a tooth will start to grow. The bacteria will spread from the tooth’s root into the tissue below, creating a pus pocket – the abscess.

A tooth can also become abscessed from gum disease. Gum disease causes the gums pull back from teeth and leaves behind pockets. If bacteria gets clogged up in one of these pockets, it can spread and grow. An abscess can form underneath the gums. As it grows and spreads, it will become more obvious.

Your jawbone can begin to dissolve once the infection has spread. This is because it allows for more swelling to occur in the infected area. Although the pressure will decrease, the infection will not disappear. The pain will return even though you may get some relief. Once the bone has been removed, the tooth will no longer be supported and will eventually fall out.

An abscessed tooth can be easily diagnosed by severe pain in the affected area, reddened gums, severe fever, swelling around the area and jaw, or possibly an unpleasant taste in the mouth. An abscess can cause severe pain and damage to the affected area. The pain does not seem to diminish no matter what you do.

Abscesses are most common in the back, but they can also occur in the front. Your dentist will not immediately remove an abscessed tooth. It is important to extract an abscessed tooth as soon as possible. If the infection has not subsided, it could quickly spread. Instead, your dentist will recommend antibiotics to help eradicate the bacteria.

A root canal can be performed by a dentist to try and remove decayed or dead tissue. The dentist can also drill a hole into the tooth to allow the infection to drain. This will enable the dentist to extract any pulp. An abscess can be treated with antibiotics. The tooth will then be extracted. It is important not to let the abscess get too severe. An abscess can cause irreversible damage to your jawbone.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sawyer, contact us today.