Abscessed Teeth
Do you have a major toothache with throbbing pain? It could be an abscessed tooth.
An abscessed tooth is one that is infected, usually the result of severe tooth decay. The infection, usually in the form of a pus-filled sac, can happen at the root or between the gums and the tooth.
An abscess at the root also can be caused by injury, such as a major blow. An abscess between a tooth and gum usually happens when bacteria and food become trapped in an area that is hard to clean.
When decay reaches the inside or pulp of a tooth, which contains the nerves and blood supply, the pulp dies. The infection then spreads from the tip of the root to the surrounding bone.
Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth:
- A constant ache
- Sensitivity to heat and cold
- Throbbing, especially if it occurs with no clear cause and is unrelated to biting or chewing
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Redness and swelling of the gums
- Tender glands in the neck
- Swollen face
- A bad taste
- Unpleasant drainage
- An open, draining sore on the side of the gums
How Does Your Dentist Know if You Have an Abscessed Tooth?
To determine if you have a dental abscess, your dentist will examine your mouth and usually take X-rays to check for disease.
He/she may also use ice or an electric tester to check the health of a tooth, or insert a probe to see if an infected pocket has formed. If an abscess exists, the probe may release some of the pressure from built-up infection, but the pocket will have to be fully cleaned.
After draining and cleaning the area, your dentist will smooth out the root surfaces of the tooth to promote healing and help keep the infection from recurring.
If an abscess is at the root of a tooth, root canal therapy is usually recommended. A general dentist or an endodontist (a specialist in this therapy) may perform a root canal.
Don't Ignore an Abscess
The symptoms of and effects from an abscessed root will not go away until treated. An infection that spreads from the tip of the root builds up pressure and destroys the surrounding bone. This destruction continues until the pressure is released by root canal therapy, or until the infection destroys enough bone so that it can drain out near the tooth, creating a gumboil on the tissue.
An abscess between the gums and a tooth will normally heal soon after the abscess has been drained and the root surfaces cleaned. However, the abscess can recur, so your dentist may recommend the use of special tools to make cleaning easier.
Prevention Is the Best Course
The best way to prevent an abscess is to visit your dentist twice a year. At these appointments, your dentist and dental hygienist will examine your teeth and mouth, check for decay between the teeth, and evaluate the health of your entire mouth.
