110 – Is a Dental Abscess an Emergency

Is a Dental Abscess an Emergency?
In general, yes, a dental abscess should be considered an emergency. This is due not only to the pain that accompanies most abscesses, but also the risk of the underlying infection that caused the abscess spreading throughout your body. If you believe you have an abscess, you should contact your dentist right away!
What is a dental abscess?
A dental abscess is an infection at an advanced stage. There is then the presence of bacteria which proliferate in large numbers in the oral tissues. Typical signs of inflammation are usually noticed, including facial edema. An abscess also causes a buildup of pus, which can drain into the mouth and taste unpleasant and acrid.
There are two main types of abscesses related to oral health, which are:
* Gingival abscess: this type of abscess forms under the gumline. This can happen because of periodontal diseases if they are not taken care of, or because of the presence of a foreign body. A piece of food, for example, can get stuck under the gum tissue and lead to infection and the formation of an abscess.
* Periapical abscess: this type of abscess forms at the end of the roots of a tooth and affects the tissues that surround it. It usually results from an infection of the dental pulp (the living center of the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels). Pulp infection can result from deep decay, a broken filling or a broken tooth. In the absence of treatment aimed at eliminating the infected tissues, this situation can lead to the formation of a periapical abscess.
The signs and symptoms
Here are the main signs associated with a dental abscess:
* Significant dental pain;
* A swelling of the gum and the appearance of a small white dot on the latter;
* An accumulation of pus, which may drain into the mouth;
* Persistent bad breath;
* Edema (swelling) of the face, either on the side where the abscess formed;
* Difficulty opening the mouth;
* Headaches and fever.
The risks of complications associated with dental abscess
The symptoms mentioned above should not be ignored. It is better to consult the dentist quickly to prevent the infection from spreading and causing complications.
The bacteria responsible for the formation of the abscess, and the infection from which it arises, can in fact migrate to other parts of the body, in particular vital organs such as the brain and the heart. Bacterial endocarditis is a possible complication of an untreated tooth abscess. It is an infection of the inner walls of the heart, which can go so far as to put the patient’s life in danger.
For oral health, the presence of an abscess (and therefore a deep infection) can lead to the irreversible degradation of the tissues in which the dental roots are implanted. This could affect the maintenance of certain teeth on the jaw. The loss of permanent teeth is therefore a risk of complication associated with dental abscess.
The treatment
During an emergency consultation for the management of an abscess, the dentist is able to treat it. It is usually necessary to drain the abscess in order to remove the accumulations of pus. In addition, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection and prevent it from spreading.