An abscess of the tooth can be classified as a build-up of pus that is caused by an infection that occurs in the mouth. Abscesses can transpire around an infected tooth and require urgent dental treatment by your dentist in Cheshire as they are unable to resolve by themselves and can spread rapidly to different areas of your body, sometimes causing severe health issues such as bacterial meningitis and endocarditis.
What is an abscess?
A dental abscess is the accumulation of pus caused by a bacterial infection in the gums. There are two main types of abscesses that can occur in the mouth and they are referred to as either periapical or periodontal depending on where they occur. Periapical abscesses typically occur at the tip of the tooth root whereas periodontal abscesses occur within the gums. The way to identify abscesses is to look for red, swollen bumps or boils; they can either affect one specific tooth or spread to surrounding bones and multiple teeth. As abscesses can spread rapidly, it is essential that you contact your dentist in Cheshire for an emergency appointment so that they can prevent the spread of the abscess as soon as possible.
What causes a dental abscess to form?
Dental abscesses are usually caused by three main types of tooth infections; these include gingival which is an infection that occurs in your gums but does not attack your teeth or tooth roots. Another infection that causes abscesses is known as periapical which is an infection that develops at the tip of the tooth root; in this case a crack or slight decay in your teeth make it possible for bacteria to enter the tooth and travel through the tooth pulp, down to the tooth root where the abscess is able to form. If the abscess reaches the tooth root, it can spread to the surrounding bone, thus affecting numerous parts of the gum. The last infection that can cause an abscess to form is a periodontal infection which originates in the bone tissues that are responsible for anchoring your teeth. This infection is usually a result of periodontitis (gum disease) and occurs in adults as a result of prolonged neglect to your oral health and hygiene.
What are the signs and symptoms of a dental abscess?
It is crucial that you contact your dentist in Cheshire when you think you may have an abscess as they are able to spread rapidly and cause further health issues. Common signs of a dental abscess that we regularly see at Willaston Dental Care include redness inside the mouth, sudden toothache, painful gums, tooth sensitivity, swelling of the face and jaw, a bad taste in your mouth that does not go away and a sudden fever due to the infection.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your dentist will be able to easily diagnose an abscess by carrying out a physical examination; the process involves your dentist pressing against your teeth to locate the abscess and checking for any physical signs of an abscess which can include lesions, redness, and boils. Your dentist might also want to carry out an x-ray to detect if there are any underlying dental diseases that could have contributed to the formation of the abscess. If your dentist has reason to believe the infection has spread to your neck or further down the body, they may refer you for a CT scan to check how much the infection has spread.
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