110 – How Do I Know If I Have a Tooth Abscess

How Do I Know If I Have a Tooth Abscess?
The dental abscess is an infectious and purulent lesion (accumulation of pus), of bacterial origin , of the periodontal tissues (tooth or gum) which requires dental treatment given the risk of complications. The abscess can be acute or chronic: in chronic cases, it is characterized by the continual evacuation of pus in the oral cavity. It is manifested by inflammation of the gums and pain when chewing.
Gingival, periodontal, apical, or sub-crown abscess?
Different forms are possible depending on whether it comes from an infection of the gums or from a loosening of the tooth:
* We speak of gingival abscess when the infection occurs in the gum
* We speak of periodontal abscess when the infection is localized in the periodontal tissues (gum and alveolar bone).
* We speak of an apical abscess if the bacterial infection manifests itself following a cavity or a dental fracture
* A sub-crown dental abscess is when the infection develops in the tissues surrounding a crown.
What are the causes of a dental abscess?
A dental abscess is a collection of pus located in the tissues surrounding the dental root . An infection of the pulp, located in the central cavity of the tooth and formed by blood vessels and nerves, is the cause of the dental abscess. The causes of a dental abscess are numerous:
* untreated or poorly cared for cavities
* dental trauma,
* the eruption of a wisdom tooth,
* an accumulation of tartar under the gumline,
* loosening of the teeth,
* untreated periodontitis.
What are the factors that promote dental abscess?
* Stress
* Diabetes
* A recent upper respiratory tract infection
* The bad diet
* Poor oral hygiene
* smoking
* Harmful use of alcohol
What are the symptoms of a dental abscess?
Symptoms of dental abscess appear suddenly, with intense, throbbing pain, usually at the root of the tooth, inflamed gums, bad taste in the mouth, bad breath, increased mobility of the tooth, and an evacuation of pus by caries or by the gum. If the infection is extensive, swelling under the skin, discomfort in opening the mouth, fever, fatigue, and chills may be experienced. Occasionally, the walls of the abscess may rupture on their own, causing a discharge of greenish, foul-smelling pus. After drainage of the abscess, the pain disappears. If the abscess is poorly treated, the infection can spread to the dental bone matrix. This is the reason why the abscess is an emergency; it is necessary to consult a dentist as soon as possible. Any pain in your mouth could be an abscess, so this is why it is important to pay attention and see a dentist if you have tooth or mouth pain.
Can a dental abscess be painless?
A dental abscess, when latent or dormant, does not cause painful symptoms and can only be detected with an X-ray.
How is a dental abscess diagnosed?
The dental abscess is diagnosed by a dentist, either during a routine consultation, when it is only at the first stage, or during an emergency consultation because of the intense pain. An x-ray is needed to assess the severity of the abscess and complications.