An abscess is the accumulation of pus in a body cavity that is not naturally present. In this case, the pus formed during an inflammatory process penetrates into the surrounding body tissue, where it thus creates its cavity. In the cavity formed by the inflammatory melting of the tissue, the pus accumulates against the adjacent tissue.
An abscess on the tooth is in the gums. It may be near the surface or deeper in the gum. Like the other abscesses, abscesses on the tooth can vary in size.
Responsible for a tooth abscess are basically bacteria. They are almost always caused by an inflamed tooth. Sometimes it also leads to an abscess at the tooth break, for example, the wisdom tooth. Typical triggers for tooth abscesses are inflammation of the tooth root and inflamed gum pockets. Even dead teeth can trigger a tooth abscess.
However, poor oral hygiene can also promote an abscess. Thus, the periodontal pockets that often occur in connection with periodontitis mean an increased risk of abscess. Anyone who does not scrupulously cleanse teeth and gums, including periodontal pockets, can almost wait for a dental abscess.
Dental abscesses are sometimes confused with pimples on the gums. The
distinction is quite simple: pimples occur in the upper skin layer and
disappear after a few days. An abscess, on the other hand, can also
occur in deeper skin areas. It is also significantly larger than an
ordinary pimple. Without dental treatment, an abscess does not
disappear, but persists and often even worsens.
In the beginning, an abscess on the tooth rarely manifests with symptoms. If it lies in the upper layer of the gums, it is noticeable by its pimple-like bulge , which however, clearly exceeds the size of pimples. Depending on the location and extent of the abscess in the mouth, there may be problems with eating, drinking and speaking. When the amount of pus in the tissue cavity of the abscess increases, the pressure on the tissues and nerves that causes it causes pain. They can become so strong that they are almost unbearable. At least at this point, most of them finally go to the dentist.
If there is any suspicion that the change in the gum may be an abscess, the affected person should immediately consult a dentist. Even if existing uncertainty applies: it is better to be safe than sorry and go to the doctor. A tooth abscess is by no means a joke. It can even become life threatening.
An untreated tooth abscess will gradually increase. It displaces further body tissue, which also means its destruction. The tissue damage can persist permanently despite successful treatment of the abscess. Even the tooth triggering the abscess often suffers damage from the infection and can die off. In addition, the infectious action of the pus corpuscles of dentures is not just limited to the gums. The infection can destroy the tooth. It can spread to the jawbone and continue there as a jaw abscess.
The dangerous consequences of a non-treated or late-onset dental abscess is not just limited to the oral cavity. This can lead to dreaded infectious cellulitis . By the way, it has nothing to do with the cellulite of the skin surface, which is often discussed aesthetically. Rather, infectious cellulitis is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue usually caused by streptococci or staphylococci. Such dermatitis easily becomes the gateway for bacteria to other areas of the body where they cause further damage, even to vital organs. Possible dangerous consequences here are liver dysfunction, kidney failure, lymph node inflammation, meningitis, respiratory and circulatory disorders and sepsis.
First with local anesthesia of the patient, the dentist will relieve patient pain by surgically placing an opening below the abscess to permit pus drainage to the outside. As a result, the pressure and the pain at the same time generally subside immediately. By means of a puncture of the swelling, the dentist can also check whether, instead of the suspected abscess, there may be another inflammation. The opening of the abscess is followed by an antibacterial treatment with thorough cleansing of the inflamed area and prescription of antibiotics. The elimination of bacteria is the focus of abscess treatment. The opening of the abscess is then not closed again, because even in the next two to five days continuously pus will drain. Finally, if none of the abscess-causing bacteria are present, the risk of re-inflammation is resolved.
The sooner the abscess is treated on the tooth, the sooner the patient will not only be relieved of his or her symptoms, but the easier the treatment will be. In the advanced stage of an abscess, a major surgery, including anesthesia, may be required.
In addition to good dental care, regular dental visits are the best way to prevent dental disease. In addition, the risk of gum injuries should be reduced. This also can be achieved by the thorough removal of sharp bones in meat or by the absence of large sharp-edged candies. It is another argument in the interests of dental health in general that sugary confectionery is not good for the teeth anyway and should rarely be consumed.
