An abscess occurs when a particular tooth suffers from a lot of decay, resulting in an infection spreading to the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber refers to the inner chamber of the tooth. If the infection cannot be fought off, the bacteria will multiply in the pulp chamber and then spread from the root of the tooth into the bone. This can be a very dangerous situation because this bacteria or infection can then attack the jaw or lead to gum disease. In some cases, it could even spread to the neck and cause a swelling in the airway.
There are a number of ways in which a tooth can get abscessed. Slow decaying over time, sudden forceful injury to the mouth or continuous clenching and grinding of teeth can all damage the tooth and leave the root open to infection.
Signs of an Abscessed Tooth
The first sign for most people is the pain that they feel in their mouth. This pain could come on while eating or when you press your tooth. It may even be felt in the jaw (which means that the infection could already be spreading). The next sign is the darkening of the color of the tooth, which usually becomes darker than the other teeth surrounding it. Swelling is also a common sign of an abscess. The swelling can be of the jaw and neck or you may find a pimple on the gum that is usually filled with pus. This is an obvious sign of an infection.
Diagnosing and Treating an Abscess
The first person who has to realize that something is wrong is either the patient or the dentist. Those who go for regular check-ups will usually get diagnosed quicker. Tests are then conducted to determine whether there is an abscess or not. X-rays are usually taken to confirm the diagnosis. Once that gets done, the area needs to be cleared from the infection. Infection is cleared by draining the tooth and the surrounding areas.
Oral antibiotics are also prescribed to get rid of the infection. Once this is done, the dentist does a root canal so that the entire tooth gets cleaned out and then the open space is sealed with a rubber metal so that it is protected from any further infections.
If an abscessed tooth is not treated in time, it can get dangerous for the person. The infection can spread beyond the area and affect the jaw and the bone. In rare cases, it can even cause a swelling in the neck that can affect the airway. This will not only mean that you will need a lot of treatment, possible surgery and cosmetic surgery but it could also be life threatening. That's why it is necessary to see the signs early and get them checked as soon as possible.
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