What is a Tooth Abscess?
A tooth abscess is a collection of pus, caused by bacterial infection in the mouth at the end of a tooth root. An abscess tooth may develop inside the tooth or between the tooth and the gum causing infection and the pain of a toothache.
Untreated dental cavity or broken tooth may lead to the decay of nerve and blood vessels inside or pulp of the tooth, which results in the death of the cell and production of toxic acid which harms the healthy tissue by forming pus. The infection thus caused in the pulp reaches from the tip of the root to the adjoining bone which leads to tooth abscess.
A tooth abscess is also caused when numerous micro organisms like bacteria present in our mouth, which are hard to clean, combine with food debris to form toxic acid which infect a tooth, resulting in the formation of pus, when this pus is not drained out, it results in the formation of abscess.
A tooth trauma, caused due to a severe blow to tooth, or a fracture of the tooth is also one of the causes of tooth abscess. Common tooth decay can also lead to the tooth’s deteriation witch usually results in an abscess.
Accumulation of tartar beneath the gum line, periodontal diseases, lack of fluoride application to teeth, broken or cracked tooth that increases bacterial infection by attacking the soft tissue of the tooth are some of the main tooth abscess symptoms.
Pain in a teeth or irritation of gums, Red, or swollen gums, staining of a tooth, Bad breath or foul taste in mouth, pain in chewing, swollen tooth are some of the main symptoms found in individuals who suffer from the problem of tooth abscess. If tooth abscess is not treated in time, then it may cause infection in the surrounding tissues, may perhaps lead to tooth loss.
Simple fillings are used for the treatment of small cavities. The dentist removes bad teeth by removing the decayed part of the tooth with a dental drill. Once this has been detached, the dentist will fill the hole with special substance, commonly known as a ‘filling’. By and large, a silver-mercury filling or a resin filling is used, but in case the cavity is very deep, gold fillings or crowns may be needed to restore the shape and function of the remaining tooth structure. This is done with the help of local anesthesia, so that the patient does not feel any pain during the treatment.
If the decay is severe and has already infected the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth, a root canal may be essential for the treatment of abscess for restoring the tooth. A root canal is a process to remove the diseased pulp from the chamber of the tooth. The area is then cleaned, smoothed and filled with dental cement. If the root canal treatment is unsuccessful in treating the tooth abscess, then the tooth will usually have to be removed.
People often look for a home remedy for tooth abscess but, as we all know that prevention is better than cure. Thus, if you do not want to experience the pain caused due to tooth abscess then you should follow daily oral health routine to protect your teeth from any infection. Tooth abscess can be avoided by diagnosing and treating cavities in time. Adhering to correct teeth brushing twice a day and daily flossing, Regular dental check ups, every 5 to 6 months, and avoiding excessive intake of sugar or starchy foods also help prevent tooth abscess.
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