DENTAL ABSCESS
A dental abscess is an infection of the mouth, face, jaw, or throat that begins as a tooth infection or cavity. These infections are common in people with poor dental health and result from lack of proper and timely dental care.
- Bacteria from a cavity can extend into the gums, the cheek, the throat, beneath the tongue, or even into the jaw or facial bones. A dental abscess can become very painful when tissues become inflamed.
- Pus collects at the site of the infection and will become progressively more painful until it either ruptures and drains on its own or is drained surgically.
- Sometimes the infection can progress to the point where swelling threatens to block the airway, causing difficulty breathing. Dental abscesses can also make you generally ill, with nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, and sweats.
Dental Abscess Causes
The cause of these infections is direct growth of the bacteria from an existing cavity into the soft tissues and bones of the face and neck.
An infected tooth that has not received appropriate dental care can cause a dental abscess to form. Poor oral hygiene, (such as not brushing and flossing properly or often enough) can cause cavities to form in your teeth. The infection then may spread to the gums and adjacent areas and become a painful dental abscess.
Prevention
Prevention plays a major role in maintaining good dental health. Daily brushing and flossing, and regular dental checkups can prevent tooth decay and dental abscess.
Remember to brush and floss after every meal and at bedtime.
If tooth decay is discovered early and treated promptly, cavities that could develop into abscesses can usually be corrected.
