A tooth abscess is a condition that occurs when a tooth is infected by bacteria and results in the formation of a pocket or lump filled with pus in the gum area around the root of the tooth. The appearance of an abscess, usually accompanied by pain and discomfort in the sufferer.
Judging from where it occurs, there are several types of abscesses, namely:
- A tooth abscess that arises at the root end of a tooth is called a periapical abscess
- A tooth abscess that arises in the gum next to the root of the tooth is called a periodontal abscess
- A tooth abscess that arises in the gums is called a gingival abscess
The appearance of a periapical abscess can be caused by a bacterial infection of the teeth or gums (periodontal tissue). The journey of an abscess begins with the presence of caries or cavities which are left untreated/filled. Over time, the infection continues until it reaches the pulp chamber (dental nerve space), the root canal, and finally reaches the root tip in the alveolar bone (gum bone). These bacteria cause an inflammatory reaction and swelling at the tip of the root. Whereas gingival abscesses can be caused by abnormalities in the gums in the form of gaps between the gums and teeth - tooth roots (called pockets) that are not treated, cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), continue to cause damage to the supporting tissues of the teeth and alveolar bone (periodontal tissue), cause a periodontal abscess. Gaps/pockets in the gums can appear as a result of tartar that is not cleaned by scaling at the dentist. A tooth abscess that is left unchecked can result in further infection of the soft tissue in the area under the jaw (cellulitis) to infection and bone damage (osteomyelitis). The conditions that can increase the risk of developing a tooth abscess are lack of maintenance of oral and dental hygiene, consuming too much food with high sugar levels which can cause cavities, and dry mouth (due to lack of saliva).
What are the symptoms of a tooth abscess?
The main symptom that can be felt by sufferers of a tooth abscess is pain or pain in the infected tooth or gum that comes on suddenly and gets worse over time. In addition, there are several other symptoms that sufferers can also experience, such as:
- Increased body temperature or fever
- Swelling on the gums
- Pain or tenderness when chewing or biting
- Pain that radiates to other areas such as the ears, jaw, and neck
- Discoloration of the teeth
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods
- Stinky mouth
- Swelling of the face or lymph nodes
- Out of breath
How to prevent and treat a tooth abscess?
Because a tooth abscess is caused by a bacterial infection, the most effective way to prevent it is to maintain oral hygiene and prevent damage to the teeth such as:
- Routinely brush your teeth twice a day after eating and before going to bed with toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Clean your teeth with dental floss after eating
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash recommended by a dentist
- Replace your regular toothbrush a maximum of once every 3 months
- Reduce consumption of foods and drinks high in sugar or flour, especially before going to bed
- Routinely carry out dental and oral examinations at the dentist every 6-12 months, to fill cavities in the teeth or clean tartar if necessary.
- Tooth abscess can be treated by removing the source of infection, which previously needs to be identified by the dentist, drainage , and administration of appropriate antibiotics and the correct dosage.
If you have a tooth abscess, immediately check with the dentist so that action can be taken to treat it.
Those are some of the causes, symptoms, and how to prevent tooth abscess. If you or your closest relative experiences similar symptoms, immediately check with your dentist so that appropriate action can be taken to treat them.
Article written by drg. Firstine Kelsi Hartanto, MClinDent, Sp, PM (Oral Disease Specialist Dentist at EMC Pekayon Hospital).