Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Oral Care > Teeth & Gums > What Causes Tooth Abscess and How Is It Treated?

What Causes Tooth Abscess and How Is It Treated?

July 11, 2020 - Updated on August 3, 2021
9 min read
By Priyanka Karamchandani, DDS | General Dentist

In this article:

  • Types of Dental Abscess
  • Causes of a Tooth Abscess
  • Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess
  • Standard Medical Treatment for Tooth Abscess
  • Diagnosing an Abscessed Tooth
  • Complications Associated With a Tooth Abscess
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Expert Answers (Q&A)
  • Final Word

A tooth abscess is a collection or pocket of yellowish-green pus formed around an infected tooth or teeth as a result of bacterial infection. It is mostly associated with swelling, pain, and inflammation.

tooth abscess

When not appropriately treated, an abscess can lead to a severe infection in the teeth, jawbone, and surrounding tissue. (1)

Types of Dental Abscess

Dental abscesses are categorized into the following three types, based on their location:

types of tooth abscess

1. Gingival abscess

Also known as gum abscess, it forms on the surface, at the lining of the gum tissue or gingiva.

Advertisements

2. Periodontal abscess

It develops in the deeper layers of the gum tissue.

3. Periapical abscess

It is found around and beyond the root apex of the infected tooth and results from severe tooth decay. A common periapical abscess is wisdom tooth abscess.

A periapical abscess can be further divided into two types:

  • Acute: It forms due to the rapid death of pulp tissue.
  • Chronic: It forms as a result of a gradual onset of pulpal necrosis.

Causes of a Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is typically a result of bacterial infections. Multiple conditions can increase the risk of bacterial entry into the tooth, including: (2)

  • Infection of the gum flap called an operculum, which covers a partially erupted wisdom tooth (the condition is called a pericoronal abscess)
  • Advanced periodontitis
  • Improper root canal treatment
  • Tooth decay, which causes pulpal necrosis
  • Gum disease or gingivitis
  • Cracked enamel

The following factors can predispose you to tooth abscess:

  • Uncontrolled systemic conditions, such as diabetes
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Diet rich in sugar and carbohydrates
  • Consumption of sticky food
  • Previous dental surgeries
  • Tooth trauma
  • Grinding and clenching of the teeth

Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess

The chief sign of a tooth abscess is throbbing pain, which may range from a mild toothache to severe pain extending to the ears and neck. Occasionally, the pain may subside as the infection prevails due to loss of sensation.

Advertisements

Some other common symptoms associated with tooth abscess include:

  • Bitter taste in the mouth
  • Fever
  • Breath odor
  • Dental cavity
  • Uneasiness or discomfort
  • Altered sense of taste
  • Pain while chewing
  • Sensitivity toward cold and hot food or drinks
  • Swelling or redness in the face
  • Difficulty in opening the mouth
  • Sore, red gums
  • Difficulty swallowing food
  • Swollen neck glands
  • Swollen upper or lower jaw

Standard Medical Treatment for Tooth Abscess

medical treatment for tooth abscess

The treatment for a tooth abscess aims at controlling the infection and managing the pain. The treatment options include:

1. Painkillers

You may take ibuprofen or paracetamol to help control the pain until proper treatment is received. It is vital to visit a dentist at the earliest and refrain from taking painkillers for a long time.

2. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are prescribed if the infection has spread to nearby teeth and gum tissues to prevent further spread. You may also need antibiotics if you have a weak immune system.

3. Draining the abscess

The dentist makes a small cut on the abscess to drain the pus. In some cases, a small rubber drain may be placed on the cut to allow gradual drainage of the pus while the swelling decreases.

4. Root canal

The affected tooth is drilled to remove the diseased tissue or central pulp, and the abscess is drained. Then, the tooth is filled and capped with a crown for added strength. This treatment can last for a lifetime if the tooth is properly looked after.

Advertisements

5. Tooth extraction

In cases where a root canal is not possible, the dentist might need to remove your tooth altogether to prevent the spread of infection.

Diagnosing an Abscessed Tooth

how is a tooth abscess diagnosed?

To diagnose a tooth abscess, the dentist will carefully examine your teeth, gums, and mouth. They may also tap the tooth to test if the pain is felt while doing so.

A cold test or other vitality tests may be performed to evaluate the vitality of the tooth. The dentist may further suggest X-rays and other tests to determine the source of infection.

Complications Associated With a Tooth Abscess

If not treated properly, a tooth abscess may spread through the mouth and lead to complications, such as:

  • Dental cysts: A fluid-filled cavity develops at the root.
  • Ludwig’s angina: The floor of the mouth swells up and may obstruct the airway in severe cases.
  • Osteomyelitis: The bacteria in the abscess can spread to the bloodstream and eventually infect the bone.
  • Sepsis: The bacterial infection can spread to other parts of the body, such as the jaw, neck, and head, and eventually to the whole body. Such a severe infection, or sepsis, can be fatal.
  • Endocarditis: If the bacteria reach the bloodstream, it may infect the inner lining of the heart (endocardium).

When to See a Doctor

It is recommended to visit a dentist at the earliest signs of a tooth abscess.

What you may ask your doctor
  • What can be the reason behind my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need to undergo?
  • What are the different treatments available?
  • Do I need to take preventive measures?
What your doctor may ask you
  • What symptoms are you experiencing?
  • Have you had any dental work or tooth trauma recently?
  • Are your symptoms intermittent or continuous?
  • Does anything aggravate the pain?

Expert Answers (Q&A)

Answered by Dr. Anirudha Agnihotry, DDS (Dentist)

Advertisements
Is tooth abscess a fatal condition?

Yes, a tooth abscess can be fatal if not taken care of. The infected purulent discharge, or pus, will find the least resistant path and reach the muscles and soft tissue. Eventually, the bacteria may get into the blood, causing infection of the blood and possibly death due to complications.

Is it advisable to pop a tooth abscess?

It is advisable to pop a tooth abscess by a health care provider in proper septic conditions if the swelling is too big, and the tooth cannot be treated at once. Sometimes, the pressure mounting from the pus makes the abscess burst by itself.

How long does it usually take for a tooth abscess to heal completely?

A tooth abscess never heals by itself. The offending tooth has to be treated, and the infection removed. A root canal therapy or tooth extraction must be performed as indicated.

After the intervention to remove the infection, the body heals in the natural capacity. Healing time could vary from a day to a week.

Is salt water rinse effective in treating tooth abscess?

No, salt water will not help in treating the tooth abscess. It will just help relieve the discomfort from the inflammation caused by the infection. It surely helps but does not take the infection away.

What are the signs that a tooth infection has spread?

An abscess starts with a toothache. The pain gets worse, and you may get a little bump, which may grow bigger and cause more pain if not addressed.

Sometimes, the swelling quickly gets big, and sometimes it progresses slowly. After a while, the swelling may burst by itself, and you get a bad taste and odor in the mouth.

It is advised to go to your dental appointments regularly and maintain good oral hygiene to catch any cavities before they get big and become an abscess.

About Dr. Anirudha Agnihotry, DDS: Dr. Agnihotry graduated from Manipal College of Dental Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in dental surgery (BDS) in 2012. He joined as a faculty in the Operative Dentistry and Endodontics Department at the Mahatma Gandhi Dental College, where he also maintained a faculty practice.

In 2014, Dr. Agnihotry moved to the United States and completed his postgraduate certificate training in restorative dentistry and worked as a researcher in the same department following that at UCLA. He then enrolled for the doctor of dental surgery (DDS) degree.

Dr. Agnihotry has published 15 international scientific research papers and has presented in international conferences. He is also a referee for five international scientific journals and is on the Editorial Board of the Brazilian Dental Journal.

Show more
Show less

Final Word

An abscess refers to a pus-filled pocket that forms near the root of an infected tooth. This condition can occur in individuals of all ages. Maintaining oral hygiene and taking good care of your teeth play significant roles in preventing and alleviating a tooth abscess.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingTooth Abscess: Home Remedies and Prevention Tips
References
  1. Shweta, Prakash SK. Dental abscess: A microbiological review. Dental research journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24348613. Published September 2013.
  2. Sanders JL, Houck RC. Dental Abscess. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29630201. Published June 30, 2019.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.