Are you at risk of developing a dental abscess?
A dental abscess, also known as an abscessed tooth, is a bacterial infection in which a pocket of pus fills inside the teeth or gums.
It is a common dental condition that affects the tooth’s pulp, which is the area of the tooth that stores all your sensitive nerves and blood vessels. It’s also the connection between your tooth and the rest of your body.
As a result, an abscessed tooth has the potential to cause you extreme pain and discomfort.
While there are ways for you to heal this infection, it can be very dangerous if left untreated.
In this informative article, you will learn…
- Key dangers of an abscessed tooth
- The two main types of dental abscesses
- The signs and stages of an abscessed tooth
- What causes an abscessed tooth to form
- Habits that put you at risk of a dental abscess
- Methods for you to treat your dental abscess
- How to prevent an abscessed tooth from happening to you
And much more…
Are you suffering from an abscessed tooth, or do you want to prevent it from ever happening to you?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about an abscessed tooth, including signs to look for, preventative methods and much, much more.
Table of Contents
Key Dangers When You Suffer from an Abscessed Tooth
Though common, an abscessed tooth can be incredibly dangerous and scary when left untreated.
If the infection kills all the pulp in your tooth, you might lose the tooth in question. Depending on the severity of the infection, tooth extraction may be your only way to keep the infection from spreading.
But a dental abscess can get even more serious than that.
The infection can spread to other teeth. And it can even spread to other areas of the body like your jaw, neck, and brain.
If you have an untreated dental abscess, you’re also at risk of developing sepsis, which occurs when the infection enters the bloodstream.
At this stage of the infection, your life may be in jeopardy.
Don’t let your abscessed tooth come to this. Don’t let an abscessed tooth happen to you at all.
Keep reading to learn all about dental abscesses so you can prevent them from wreaking havoc on your dental health.
Two Main Types of Dental Abscesses
Periapical and periodontal abscesses are the two main types of this dental disorder.
- A periapical dental abscess occurs towards the tip of your tooth’s root.
- A periodontal dental abscess occurs in the bone next to your tooth.
Now let’s take a look at warning signs and symptoms that may indicate you have an abscessed tooth.
Signs and Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth
Are you suffering from any of these symptoms of an abscessed tooth?
Here’s what you should look out for:
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Gum sensitivity
- Foul taste in your mouth
- A severe toothache and oral pain
- Swelling in and around your mouth
- Tooth sensitivity to temperature and pressure
- Swollen lymph nodes around your jaw or neck
If you are experiencing any of the warning signs above, you might be suffering from an abscessed tooth. Don’t wait. Visit your trusted Corpus Christi dentist right now.
Did you know… you might not experience any symptoms from an abscessed tooth. See your family dentist to know for sure.
Now that you know the main signs of this dental infection, let’s talk about what causes a dental abscess and why it might happen to you.
Main Causes of an Abscessed Tooth
So, what causes an abscessed tooth? Read on to find out now.
Tooth decay is the most common cause of an abscessed tooth. You might also suffer from an abscessed tooth if you have periodontal disease or if you experienced a mouth-related injury.
- Severe cavities and tooth decay — Many dental abscesses occur when a cavity is left untreated. The cavity spreads deeper into the tooth, allowing bacteria to enter through the dental pulp.
- Periodontal disease — Also known as gum disease, this dental condition can put you at risk of developing an abscessed tooth.
- Dental injuries — Mouth-related injuries like chipped or cracked teeth can expose you to an abscess.
Are you at risk of an abscess?
Keep reading to find out.
Two Main Risk factors for Dental Abscess
- A diet high in sugary foods — When you eat sugary foods, the sugar eats away at your teeth. This makes your teeth more vulnerable to decay and infection.
- Poor dental hygiene — If you fail to maintain an at-home dental health care routine, you run the risk of experiencing tooth decay. Be sure to brush and floss regularly.
Special reminder: you should brush your teeth 2-3 times per day and floss your teeth once daily.
Are you experiencing a dental abscess?
Read on to learn how you can treat it.
Dental Abscess Treatment Methods
Depending on the severity of your abscess, your dentist may recommend medication, an invasive procedure or both.
Here are your options for treating your dental abscess:
Dental procedures for a tooth abscess
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth extraction
- Dental filling
- Drainage
Medications you can take to treat a tooth abscess
- Analgesics
- Penicillin and other antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatory medications
Want to make sure an abscessed tooth never happens to you?
Keep reading to discover powerful preventative methods to keep your teeth healthy and thriving.
How to Prevent an Abscessed Tooth from Happening to You
Preventative dental care for an abscessed tooth
Want to keep your smile in good health?
Here’s what you can do to lower your risk of experiencing a painful, dangerous dental abscess:
- Brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis
- Maintain a healthy, low-sugar diet
- Drink water that contains fluoride
- Visit your trusted family dentist regularly
Visit Your Corpus Christi Family Dentist Regularly
The Best Preventive Method For Dental Abscess
While an at-home dental health care routine is extremely important, it’s not enough to ensure optimal health for your smile.
You should visit your dentist on a regular basis to make sure your teeth and gums aren’t at risk of infection.
Dr. Chang’s Family Dentistry is a Corpus Christi dental office you can trust.
Click here or call 361-992-7631 to schedule your appointment with the best Corpus Christi dentist right now.
