If you have ever suffered from an abscess, infection of the
mouth, face, jaw or throat, you can attest that it is one of the most painful
dental experiences. Worse yet, abscesses can be life-threatening if left
untreated.
Tooth abscesses always require professional dental care.
They occur when bacteria invade the dental pulp, the soft inner part of the
tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves, and tissue. Bacteria enter through
the tooth cavity, chip or crack in the tooth, and spread to the root. Bacterial
infection causes swelling and the formation of pus (bacteria, dead tissue, and
white blood cells). If left unchecked, the bacterial infection spreads from the
tooth root to different parts of the body.
Common causes
Common causes of dental abscesses are severe and untreated
tooth decay, dental injuries such as chipped or broken teeth, and gum disease
such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Two other causes are persistent disease
and infection after infected root canal and dental fillings.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who does not receive treatment for a cracked tooth,
exposed root, or deep cavity is at risk of developing a tooth abscess. People
who have not been to the dentist for a long time are particularly vulnerable
because they may not have received treatment for severe cavities caused by
factors such as prolonged poor oral hygiene, a high sugar diet, or financial
restrictions. People with diabetes, an autoimmune disease, or those who are
being treated for cancer with chemotherapy / radiation therapy (or who have
another medical condition that weakens their immune system) are also at
increased risk for abscesses.
Symptoms
A tooth abscess usually affects only one tooth, but if the
infection is not treated, other teeth can become infected as well. To prevent
serious complications that can occur if left untreated, it is important to see
a dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Toothache (continuous and characterized by gnawing
sensations, sharpness, throbbing, or throbbing)
Bitter taste in the mouth
bad breath
Embarrassment / discomfort
Pain when chewing, especially when biting or firmly closing
the mouth.
Sensitivity of teeth to hot and cold temperatures
Red, swollen gums that drain pus
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and jaw areas
Headache
If the infection kills the dental nerve, the toothache may
stop. However, this does not mean that the infection has been cured; the
infection continues to spread and destroy tissue. With an advanced infection,
you may experience nausea, vomiting, and chills. Fever and swelling of the face
may indicate that the infection has spread deeper to the jaw and surrounding
tissues, or even to other parts of the body. If you can't reach your dentist,
go to the emergency room.
Possible Complications of Dental Abscesses.
An abscess can create a rash or fistulas through the skin
that leak and drain pus into the mouth or cheek. More serious and dangerous,
the abscess can burst in the bony area and spread throughout the body,
infecting surrounding tissue and possibly damaging nerves as it moves. A severe
case that has pierced the bone and spread to soft tissues can eventually
progress to osteomyelitis (infection of the bones) and cellulitis (infection of
the skin).
When left untreated, an advanced infection can corrode the
jaw bone, leading to tooth loss and possible facial disfigurement from soft,
weakened facial bones. It can increase your risk of systemic (whole body)
problems, such as diabetes flare-ups, blood infection (sepsis), breathing
problems, heart disease, and vascular infection.
An example of a serious complication of an abscess that
requires immediate hospitalization is Ludwig's angina, a severe form of
cellulitis that inflames the tissues of the floor of the mouth. In extreme
cases, this condition can shut off the airway and cause suffocation.
The infection can also spread to the middle of the chest,
with serious consequences for vital organs such as the heart. If the abscess
doesn't drain, it can lead to sepsis, a whole-body infection that can lead to
loss of a limb, organ dysfunction, and death.
In rare cases, the spread of infection to soft tissues, to
the
