By definition, tooth abscess is a localised infection around the tooth that leads to the formation of pus. Abscesses are very serious medical conditions, and can even be life threatening if left untreated. When the pulp of a tooth dies due to damage or decay, bacteria will proliferate from the tissue that is left. These bacteria will eventually spread from the root of the dead tooth into the tissue that is below and create a pocket of pus - the abscess.
Another cause of tooth abcesses is gum disease. Gum diseases causes the gums to pull back and away from teeth, leaving pockets behind. When one of the pockets becomes blocked, the bacteria can multiply and spread, or get backed up. The consequence of this, is that an abscess will start to form under the surface of the gums and become apparent will swelling as it gets bigger and spreads.
After the infection has spread, the jawbone may start to dissolve as it makes room for the swelling and inflammation in the area that has been infected. Once the bone starts to dissolve, the pressure will be greatly decreased, although the infection will still be there. Even though the person will get some relief, the infection will get worse - and the pain will always come back. Once more of the bone has decayed and has dissolved, there will be nothing left to support the tooth, meaning that it will become loose and end up needing to be extracted.
The symptoms and signs of an abscessed tooth are easy to recognised , as they include severe pain in the affected area, red or swollen gums, a bad taste in your mouth, swelling around the area or the jaw, and possibly a high fever. Pain is excruciating with an abscess, normally affecting the area in a bad way. No matter what you do, the pain seems to intensify.
Abscesses tend to occur more with back teeth, although they can happen in the front as well. Once your tooth has become abscessed, your dentist will not immediately pull it. There is some dangers of extracting a tooth that has an abscess since the infection is still present, it can quickly spread. Your dentist will instead prescribe you some antibiotics that can help to destroy the bacteria.
Root canal is a rescue procedure that a dentist may attempt to remove dead or decayed tissue. Last but not least, he can also drill a hole in the tooth to give the infection a chance to drain and try to remove any dead pulp. The most common treatment with an abscess is to use antibiotics to fight the infection, then get the tooth removed. You should never let it get that bad - as an abscess is something that can destroy your jawbone.
Related Articles
Changing Your Looks With Cosmetic Dentistry
By: Charles Preston | 12/11/2005 | Health
Cosmetic dentistry is very popular right now because people are starting to realize that a cosmetic dentist isn't anything you should be afraid of. A cosmetic dentist can actually help you feel better about yourself in a variety of ways.
What To Look For In A Cosmetic Dentsist
By: Terry Ross | 11/10/2006 | Advice
One of the main pitfalls of cosmetic dentistry is choosing the wrong cosmetic dentist. As with plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures, a successful result is largely dependant on the professional and in this case cosmetic dentist that you choose.
Are Mercury Amalgam Fillings Dangerous to Health? New Cosmetic Dentistry Avoids This Danger
By: Jayden Adams | 07/05/2007 | Health
Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, uses most recent dentistry technology to safely remove disputed mercury fillings from teeth.
Change your Life With Cosmetic Dentistry
By: Ron Mark | 19/09/2007 | Medicine
It is well known that an attractive smile can bring you a lot of benefits and surveys have proved it also. You are more likely to be accepted for an important job if you have a straight and shiny smile than if you have yellow and untidy teeth. This is what cosmetic dentistry does: it fixes your teeth, makes them whiter and brighter!
Dentistry Procedures And Services To Enhance Your Smile
By: Dave Stringham | 30/10/2007 | Health
Now a movie star smile is as close as your mirror. Starting with healthy teeth and gums,your dentist can perfect your smile through porcelain restorations, veneers, whitening, and other state-of-the-art treatments.
Cosmetic Dental Procedures White Fillings and Root Planing
By: Dave Stringham | 10/12/2007 | Medicine
Dental care is important especially when we are discussing white fillings and root planing. Learn about the necessary steps to insuring a positive outcome from these cosmetic dentistry procedures.
More Than One Way to Have Perfect Teeth
By: Clint Jhonson | 09/01/2008 | Dental Care
Everyone knows that teeth are very difficult to take care of; no matter how zealously you brushed them three times a day, it’s simply not enough. That yellowish allure just won’t disappear. Therefore, in order to have Xena’s perfect milky-white teeth, we have to follow some very important steps within the process of teeth whitening.
Invisalign and Its Use in Cosmetic Dentistry
By: IC | 21/04/2008 | Health
In the world of cosmetic dentistry people are always bombarded with new options and ideas in order to improve the appearance of their smile, some products may be just right in order to make things happen and others may not be a perfect fit
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I need to know what the IV is going to be like ...
By: xxlnw07xx | 18-10-2007
Im a 14 year old female, and I am getting all 4 my impacted wisdom teeth taken out in about a month. They are all still under the gums and I will need to get stitches. Im worried about the IV I have to get. I'm a baby when it comes to needles and have a very low pain tolerance. I wanted to be put completely under but my oral surgeon does not perform that in his office.I just don't want to feel or hear anything durring my surgery. He says I will have a sensation of whats going on but I won't care. Some how my conscience is telling me other wise. Any advice? I really want to know exactly all the details of what this IV is going to be like.
What education do you need to be a nurse in ...
By: meniwitt69 | 25-09-2007
What education do you need to be a nurse in cosmetic or reconstructive surgery?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Non-Fiction Articles
Before the Knife by Carolyn Slaughter
By: Philip Spires | 06/09/2008
At the age of six, Carolyn Slaughter was sexually abused by her father. Before The Knife is a memoir of her childhood in Africa, and it demonstrates how the suppression of the abuse within the family came to dominate all their lives.
Thank Heaven for Books and Online Discounts
By: David J Stack | 05/09/2008
I am a self-confessed bookworm whose whole life revolves around reading. Well, I don’t have my nose stuck to a paperback twenty-four hours a day, but whenever I am not reading, I spend most of my time scouring The Strand, updating my Visual Bookshelf application on Facebook, checking out the bestseller’s list, keeping myself abreast with reviews in the newspaper, or looking up the Internet for online discounts on the latest novels and short story collections.
Writing Your Family History and Keeping Yours Alive
By: Patrika Vaughn | 02/09/2008
Digging into your family's past and writing about the people and events you discover can be a fascinating endeavor. A family history also helps children and grandchildren develop a sense of belonging, a feeling of continuity between the generations.
How to Write More
By: Ruth Barringham | 01/09/2008
Being a writer is a job like any other. It has benefits because you can work from home from anywhere in the world and choose your own hours. It has the downside of requiring self-discipline and complete focus to get your work done, and to do it well. The following is advice to help you write more and earn more.
The Time to Become a Successful Writer is Now
By: Ruth Barringham | 01/09/2008
If you want to be a successful writer, you need to act now to turn your dream into a reality. But if you are currently not acting and not working towards becoming a wealthy writer, what’s holding you back? And, more importantly, what can you do about it?
How to Write a Great Introduction in Five Steps
By: K. N. Singer | 31/08/2008
It's easy to write a great introduction if you know how.
A Dying Art
By: http:www.MonogramMecca.com | 30/08/2008
Taking the time to write a letter is a wonderful, beautiful way to show someone you care. Receiving a letter is a meaningful experience. So, lift your finest pen, select your favorite stationery, and sit down for a few minutes of calm and focus. You can create a work of art.
Getting Back on the Writing Horse
By: Mary Anne Hahn | 26/08/2008
Has your writing been stalled lately? Here are a couple of possible reasons for it--and the cure,
Writing 
