A dental abscess is defined as an accumulation of pus caused by a bacterial infection. One of the main peculiarities of this pathology is that it can be extremely painful, which is why it is not surprising that many patients urgently visit a dental surgery to solve this problem.
There are two types of dental abscesses:
- Periapical abscess: An infection located at the tip of the tooth root.
- Periodontal abscess: This is a bacterial infection located in the gums, in the area near the dental root.
Periapical abscess is more common and manifests itself through a series of unequivocal symptoms such as:
- Intense pain.
- Appearance of a lump or fistula in the affected area.
- Bad Taste in the Mouth.
What are the causes of dental abscess?
The appearance of a dental abscess can be due to different factors, although generally this pathology is directly related to other dental diseases, such as:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Tooth decay
In other words, if we do not solve some of the aforementioned pathologies, we run the risk of developing dental abscesses.
There are other causes that may be related to the appearance of an abscess, such as dental fractures or trauma.
Risk factors for dental abscesses
As we have seen in the previous paragraph, dental abscesses do not arise by chance, but are the result of a series of factors that make it possible for this infection to develop.
The following is a list of risk factors that are related to the development of abscesses.
- Lax dental hygiene routine: Dental cleaning is the main technique for preventing common diseases such as caries and gingivitis. Those who neglect this habit run the risk of developing all kinds of oral pathologies, dental abscess being one of these examples. A correct dental hygiene routine should consist of brushing after every meal, daily flossing and regular use of mouthwashes and mouth rinses.
- Unbalanced diet with a high sugar content
- Diseases with pathologies that affect the immune system, e.g. diabetes.
Treatment of dental abscesses
We have already mentioned that finding a quick and effective solution is the main objective for patients who have a dental abscess, given that we are dealing with an infection that can be very painful.
But… has the treatment already ended? No.
Dental abscesses are caused by a problem in the tooth or in the surrounding tissue. Antibiotics only serve to eliminate the infection, but if we do not treat the real problem we run the risk that these infections will continue to occur periodically.
To resolve the situation, it is essential that the specialist identifies the source of the problem; cavities? periodontal disease? trauma?..
From there, a treatment will be designed with the aim of saving the tooth, with endodontics or root canal treatment being one of the most common alternatives, the main objective of which is to restore a tooth with a damaged dental nerve or pulp.
On the other hand, in the event that the tooth is destroyed , it will be extracted, a very important process given that if we do not remove it (even if it is destroyed and without any use) it will continue to be an inexhaustible source of infections.
In short, we will conclude this article by reminding you that dental abscess is one of the most painful infections affecting the mouth and requires rapid and urgent attention.
Agenta tu primera cita con el dentista en Mexicali, México.
This post is purely informational and does not replace a consultation with the dentist in any way. Contact the smile agents team to schedule an appointment with one of the dentists at Smilers Dental Clinic.
