Dental abscesses may sound scary, but they are quickly treated and even preventable!

The word abscess may conjure up the image of someone with a towel tied around their head with a painful grimace on their face. Thankfully, with the help of modern technology, an abscess can be quickly detected and painlessly treated.

Abscess is just a fancy word for an infection. In the dental world there are two main types of abscesses. A periapical abscess happens at the root of a tooth when either decay enters the nerve chamber or a traumatic injury or crack in the tooth damages the nerve. A periodontal abscess occurs when the gum becomes infected. A periodontal abscess can affect one or more teeth and can result in widespread periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a chronic gum and bone infection that can weaken the bone and may result in bone and tooth loss if untreated.

What are the Symptoms of an Abscess?

• Fever
• Face swelling
• Bad breath
• Soreness in your neck and jaw
• Throbbing toothaches
• Radiating pain
• Hot or cold tooth sensitivity that lingers

In some cases, an abscess causes no pain at all or the pain may vary in frequency and severity. Sometimes with a periapical infection, the infection inside the tooth works its way into the gum through the root of the tooth, creating a white boil or pimple on the gum. When the pimple pops, the infection begins to drain into the gum tissue and mouth, causing the pressure to release and the pain to go away. This doesn’t mean that the infection is getting better; it just means the pressure is relieved for the time being.

What is the treatment for an abscess?

If you have an abscess, there a few methods of treatment. Antibiotics can be prescribed to kill the infection, but the affected tooth, dying nerve, or periodontal disease must still be dealt with. Think of the antibiotic as a temporary band aid but not a final solution.

If the abscess is the result of a dying nerve, a root canal may be recommended. Thanks to modern technology, a root canal is straightforward. After the infected tissue is removed, the canals are disinfected and shaped, and a rubber-like material called gutta-percha is used to seal the canals and prevent reinfection. A crown is usually, but not always, placed over the remaining tooth to help prevent further breakage.

If you have periodontal disease, root planing and scaling may be done. This deep cleaning is done with anesthetic and specialized instruments. Sometimes lasers are used to help sterilize the pocket to help prevent reinfection.

If the abscess is too far gone and too much both becomes affected, the only recourse may be loss of tooth.

How do you prevent an abscess?

• Visit your dentist for regular professional cleanings
• Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day
• Replace your toothbrush every three months
• Never share your toothbrush with anyone
• Watch your sugar and carbohydrate intake

Use a fluoridated mouth rinse after hygiene right before bed With a little care, you can help prevent an abscess and periodontal disease before they develop, saving yourself the inconvenience and pain of a toothache, possible early loss of a tooth, or the expense of major dental treatment.