A tooth abscess is an infection typically brought on by bacteria. They can appear in different areas of the tooth and caused by different circumstances. The periapical abscess affects the root tip at the end of the tooth. The second type of abscess infects the gums along the side of the root. It is called a periodontal abscess. The most common type is the periapical abscess. These usually occur because of a cavity that was not treated accordingly or previous dental work which has failed.Should I be Worried?
One treatment option for an abscess involves draining the abscess which is in essence a pocket of pus at the tip of the tooth root. An incision is made to the abscess to allow all of the pus to drain. A saline rinsing of the area is done to ensure the abscess area is clean. In rare instances, a drain may be inserted while the swollen gum tissue improves.
Another option to treat an abscess is to perform a root canal on the infected tooth for it to be saved. It removes the infected area deep in the heart of the tooth, which is the pulp. Once the infection is removed from the pulp, the empty space is filled in so an infection cannot come back. After a root canal procedure happens a crown can be put in place to help stabilize the tooth and seal it from further infection. Other treatments include pulling the tooth if the infected tooth is too far damaged, or to prescribe antibiotics to take care of the infection without an invasive procedure.
What Happens if an Abscess is not Treated?
If an abscess is left untreated, it may rupture spreading the infection further into the gum tissue and possibly the jawbone. It can also enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body including the brain. In rare cases it has led to a serious infection known as sepsis. If there are questions concerning abscesses and gum damage please notify us.
