What to Know About Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is one cause of painful toothache. When the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, dies and becomes inflamed, a tooth abscess develops. Bacteria can then enter the pulp and infect the tooth's root. An abscess can form when a pocket of pus forms around the root.

This article discusses the causes and symptoms of a tooth abscess and when you should consult a doctor, as well as how a tooth abscess is diagnosed and treated.

SymptomsAn abscess is most commonly characterized by an ache in the bone surrounding the tooth. You may also experience gum swelling or pain when chewing.

You may also experience the following additional symptoms:
- A throbbing toothache that radiates to your jaw, neck, or ear.
- Your teeth may be sensitive to hot, cold, and chewing pressure.
- You might get a fever.
- Swelling in your face, cheeks, and lymph nodes in your jaw or neck.
- Your gums may be swollen and red.
- If the abscess ruptures, you may experience a rush of foul-tasting and odorous discharge in your mouth as well as an open, draining sore.
- If the pain is not treated, it can become severe, even excruciating.

CausesUntreated tooth decay, a cracked or broken tooth or filling, and gum infection, particularly in advanced gum disease, can all lead to a painful, abscessed tooth.

Bacteria are always present in your mouth, but they are kept out of your teeth by the solid tooth enamel. If you have tooth decay or a cracked tooth, bacteria can enter the living pulp inside the tooth. Your immune system responds by releasing white blood cells to kill the bacteria. Pus is formed by the combination of white blood cells , dead tissue, and bacteria.

Because there is no extra space inside your hard tooth, it attempts to drain out the tip of the tooth root in the jaw. A pus pocket can form at the root tip. An abscess can be seen on a dental X-ray. The pressure and inflammation caused by this abscess can be excruciating.

DiagnosisMake an appointment with your dentist right away if you have a toothache or other symptoms of a tooth abscess. You must seek treatment before larger problems arise. If the abscess ruptures, you may experience some pain relief. Whether it does or does not, the infection has the potential to spread to your jaw.

Your dentist will examine your teeth to determine the location of the abscess. An X-ray or even a CT scan may be required to determine the exact location of the abscess and whether the infection has spread.

Treatment
Root canal treatment or endodontic surgery is typically used to treat a dental abscess.

The bacteria in your tooth's empty canals will be removed first by the dentist. They will then clean, shape, and fill the root canals before sealing the space.

You will then return later to your dentist, who will place a crown on the tooth to protect it and restore its full function. The tooth should function normally after the new restoration.

Sometimes the tooth cannot be saved. To eliminate the infection, your dentist will need to extract the infected tooth and drain the abscess. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the infection has the potential to spread or if you have a weakened immune system.

Pain Relief TipsA toothache caused by an abscess may come and go, so don't be deceived if the pain goes away. Here are some ways to relieve a toothache caused by an abscessed tooth or dental infection until you can get to the dentist:

Avoid very cold and hot drinks and foodsExtremes in temperature may cause pain if the dentin layer of the tooth has been invaded by tooth decay. Cold drinks, juices, ice cream, coffee, tea, and hot soups should be avoided. These may activate the exposed dentin and cause excruciating pain.

Avoid high-sugar or acidic foods and drinks
Soft drinks and juices are examples of acidic foods. These lower the pH in your mouth, causing the mineral layer that protects your teeth to wear away ( demineralization ). Because teeth with dental abscesses are extremely sensitive, any pH changes should be avoided.

Use over-the-counter optionsBecause most toothaches are caused by inflammation, a pain reliever that reduces inflammation may be beneficial. Never apply pain relievers to the tooth or gum tissue, as this could cause the tissue to burn.

Floss between the teeth that acheRemoving food particles and plaque may help relieve toothache pain. It may aid in the reduction of inflammation in the periodontal area, where pain spreads to the rest of the infected tooth.