Abscess Tooth Affects Oral And Overall Health
An abscess in the tooth is an infection that is caused by a painful pus-filled pocket that will appear on the gum tissue. Abscesses are a serious condition that affects both oral and overall health. They can also be the cause of other health-related issues if not resolved in a timely manner. This infection can cause severe tooth decay and damage the tooth structure when bacteria begins to interact with the tissue. Like any other infection, the bacteria that exist multiply and spread to the root of the tooth which will result in the abscess, or infection, becoming visible.
Gum Disease Can Cause An Abscess
Gum diseases like gingivitis can also be the cause of an abscess. This is because gum disease causes the gums to recede, or pull away from the teeth. This receding leaves “pockets” where bacteria can thrive. All bacteria needs is a place to multiply rapidly and a tooth or gum infection will occur.
Tooth Infection Can Cause An Abscess
Tooth infections that are severe enough will spread to the jaw, compromising the bone and tooth’s structure. Swelling will occur as the tooth deteriorates, but even though the pressure will seem to subside on occasion, the infection will still exist. This perception of some relief may cause you to believe that things are getting better, they’re not. As the infection worsens and the tooth structure continues to dissolve, extraction may be the only real treatment option.
Recognizing The Abscess Tooth Symptoms
Symptoms of an infected tooth or abscess are easy to recognize, they include; severe pain, swollen or redness on the gums, odor and even a high fever. The pain is the first symptom that you experience and is the most noticeable sign. Unfortunately, if the infection is serious enough, over the counter and even prescription pain medication might not offer total relief.
Teeth at the back of the mouth are the most prone to infection. Once the abscess has developed, the dentist may not pull it immediately. Dr. Mjahed, a dentist in Monroe, would first like to see if other treatment options will resolve the infection. These treatment options are those that focus on saving the tooth while eliminating the infection.
One of the best ways to “save the tooth but eliminate the infection” is to start a round of antibiotics that will kill the bacteria that is causing the infection. If antibiotics are not the best option or the tooth is severely damaged, you may need to have an extraction or even a root canal to remove the dead tissue and treat the tooth’s root.
Come See Us At Our Dental Practice in Monroe, NC
Monroe Family Dentistry is there for you and your children from day one and we are happy to work with you and your child to start habits from birth. If you live near Monroe, NC call us to schedule an appointment today at 704.776.4278.
These are just some of the services we provide. To learn more about our dental practice in Monroe NC and the services we provide, call us or submit an appointment request.
