Dental Abscess is an infection of the face, mouth, jaw or throat and usually starts as a tooth infection. A collection of pus forms in the center of the tooth and spreads to the surrounding tissues. It is associated with a severe throbbing pain. It is caused by lack of oral hygiene that may lead to tooth decay. Other causes include gum disease, gingivitis or trauma sucha s broken or chipped tooth.
Symptoms
Dental abscess is associated with a sharp pain, swelling and redness of face and mouth. In the advanced stages, you may also experience fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms include bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, swollen neck glands, sensitive teeth
Complications
An untreated cavity harbors bacteria that may spread to the surrounding gums, throat, cheek, beneath the tongue, jaws and facial bones. When the surrounding tissues get inflamed it is painful.
Pus gets collected at the site of infection resulting in progressive pain until it finally ruptures and drains out or has to be drained surgically.
Sometimes the infection can become so worse that it blocks the air passages causing difficulty in breathing and hamper overall health.
Treatment
Pain can be relieved using over the counter pain medications. Fix an appointment with your doctor who can suggest the best treatment option for you.
Infection can be eliminated by draining the abscess using a procedure called root canal. This removes the infected root, closes the gap and places a crown. Sometimes tooth extraction is also required. Pus can also be drained out by making an incision in the gum tissue.
You would be put on painkillers to relieve pain and antibiotics to fight infection. Practicing good oral hygiene goes a long way in reducing the risk of abscess.