Dental abscesses are pus-filled pockets that form inside a tooth or in your gum tissue as the result of an infection. Like any type of infection, dental abscesses can cause a lot of pain, and without proper treatment, they can also spread to other parts of your body, including your heart.
Abscessed teeth require prompt care using specific treatment techniques to eradicate germs and prevent the infection from getting worse. Here’s how the team at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City can help.
Abscesses happen the same way a cavity happens: Germs invade the tooth or gums and multiply, causing an infection. As the infection progresses, your body sends white blood cells to fight it off. Pus forms from the dead blood cells, dead germs, and other by-products of the infection-fighting process.
Abscesses happen more commonly in teeth that already have decay or traumatic damage, like a crack, chip, or fracture, and they’re also more common in teeth affected by gum disease. They’re also more likely to form in people who:
They also happen more frequently in people who don’t brush and floss regularly and who skip regular dental cleanings with the dentist.
Abscesses can form in the interior pulp part of your tooth, in the gums surrounding a tooth, or at the very tip of the tooth root (called a periapical abscess). The location of the abscess and its severity influence how we treat the infection.
Abscesses can cause different symptoms depending on the extent and location of the infection.
Most abscesses cause some degree of pain, especially as the abscess grows without treatment. You may have lingering throbbing pain or you may primarily have pain when pressure is applied to the tooth, like when biting or chewing.
If you have an abscess, swelling and irritation can lead to extra sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks. Sweet foods and cold air can also cause painful symptoms.
As the abscess enlarges, it causes swelling in the pocket of pus and in the tissues that surround it. You may feel a lump in your gum or your gums may be tender and red. Very large abscesses can cause swelling in your cheek area, too.
Deep infections can cause swelling and pain in and around your ear, face, or neck. Some abscesses can cause chronic headaches, too.
As bacteria grow and multiply, they release toxins and noxious odors. The result: chronic bad breath that won’t go away with brushing and flossing.
Like any infection, dental abscesses can cause a fever, too. As the infection continues, you might feel tired out and generally unwell.
Abscess treatment seeks to eliminate painful symptoms while getting rid of germs and eliminating the infection. Depending on where the abscess is located, you might benefit from draining the abscess and using antibiotics to kill germs.
Root canal therapy is typically a good solution for abscesses inside a tooth. In a root canal, we remove the infected pulp, fill the canal, then top the tooth with a protective crown.
Abscesses located at the tooth root benefit from a treatment called apicoectomy that focuses on removing the infected material along with the end of the root. In very severe abscesses, we may recommend extraction.
Abscesses require prompt treatment to avoid potentially serious complications. If you think you have an abscess, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today so we can begin treatment right away.
