DENTAL ABSCESS

DENTAL ABSCESS

A dental abscess is a tooth infection or cavity which occurs by the accumulation of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. Although these infections can be caused by poor dental health and can result from lack of proper and timely dental care, they may also occur in people with underlying medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders or conditions that weaken the immune system such as diabetes, post-radiation/chemotherapy cancer care).

Bacteria which exist in plaque, damages teeth as well as gum. If the plaque is not removed regularly by brushing and flossing ,it may eventually result in an abscess.

Dental abscess is of three types:

1.Gingival abscess - the abscess is only in the gum tissue and does not affect the tooth or the periodontal ligament.

2.Periodontal abscess - this abscess starts in the supporting bone tissue structures of the teeth.

3.Periapical abscess - this abscess commences in the soft pulp of the tooth.

Some facts about dental abscess:

• Bacteria from dental caries (a tooth 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 or due to the pressure within the abscess.
•  A gum or gingival abscess is the result of infection or trauma to the surface of the gum tissue.
• Periodontal abscesses are the result of an infection that has moved deeper into gum areas, and a periapical abscess refers to a tooth with an infection of the pulp.
•  Pus collects at the site of the infection. The condition will become progressively more painful until the abscess either ruptures and drains on its own or is drained surgically.
• Rarely, the infection can progress to the point at which swelling threatens to block the airway, causing difficulty breathing.
• Dental abscesses is associated with nausea, vomiting, fevers chills, and sweats.

A dental abscess usually requires treatment; otherwise it can worsen and result in the destruction of bone tissue.

 

Signs and Symptoms of a dental abscess

  

• Intense, throbbing pain.
• Pain in the affected area when biting
• Pain may radiate to the ear, jawbone and to the neck.
• Pain on touching 
• Tooth sensitivity
• A foul taste in the patient's mouth
• Fever
• Geneal malaise (the patient feels generally unwell)
• Trismus - the patient finds it harder to open his/her mouth
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Lack of sleep

Treatment :

Some of the dental procedures include:

Incision - after local anaesthesia, the abscess is cut out (incised) and the pus is drained away.

Treating a periodontal abscess - the abscess will be drained and the periodontal pocket cleaned. This helps the tooth heal and prevents further infections from occurring.

Treating a periapical abscess - root canal treatment will be used to remove the abscess.

In case of  a periapical abscess and a recurring infection surgery is the best way of treating dental abscess. This will be done by an oral surgeon.
The tooth may be extracted if the dental abscess recurs, even after surgery.
Aspirin, ibuprofen or Tylenol (parecetamol) are effective painkillers which can be used to relieve pain.

Antibiotics -  may be prescribed to prevent the infection from spreading, and may be taken together with painkillers. 

Tips to prevent dental abscess

• Use a very soft toothbrush
• Do not floss around the affected area
• Avoid cold and hot foods and drinks
• Moderately cool foods, chewed on the "good" side of your mouth will probably be less painful.