A tooth abscess may be caused by severe tooth decay. It can also occur due to a dental injury such as a chipped or broken tooth. This is because an opening in the tooth's hard outer layer, or enamel, can let bacteria into the tooth, causing infection. Another cause of a tooth abscess is severe gum disease around a tooth.
A tooth abscess is treated to cure the infection and prevent complications, and to save the tooth if possible. You may be treated by your dentist or referred to an endodontist, a dentist who specialises in tooth roots.
The treatment of a tooth abscess depends on the seriousness of your condition. Treatments include:. Practising good dental care can reduce your risk of a tooth abscess. This includes:. You should see a dentist regularly for check-ups. If you suspect you have a tooth abscess, or you have a toothache, see your dentist as soon as possible.
A tooth abscess will not get better on its own; in fact, an untreated abscess might get worse and lead to life-threatening complications if the infection spreads to other parts of the body. You should also see a dentist for a check-up as soon as you can if you have chipped or broken teeth. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Read more on myDr website. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Typically a dental abscess occurs as a result of tooth decay, but it can also occur as a result of a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth.
Either way, bacteria is the main culprit as it enters either through a tooth cavity or via a crack or chip in the tooth. There are clear stages or a series of dental problems that need to align. They are as follows…. When plaque is allowed to accumulate on the surface of the tooth and gums it releases an acid which starts to erode the tooth enamel. Once this happens, the tooth starts to decay as a cavity is formed.
If tooth cavities are not dealt with at this stage, bacteria continue to eat their way through the enamel and enter the sub-layer the dentin. When this happens, it can play havoc with the nerves of the tooth, causing them to die.
As such, pus is formed around the dying roots causing the abscess. Usually, by this stage, discomfort or throbbing pain would normally dictate that a dental abscess is present and needs addressing.
Therefore, it should be treated before it gets any worse. However, if for some reason the dental abscess is still ignored, the tooth abscess can erode further bone causing tooth loss. Moreover, in those with weakened immune systems, infections can spread and if continually ignored, what started out as an abscessed tooth, can actually become fatal as it spreads to other parts of the body.
Like with most dental problems, the earlier the issue is treated the more favorable the outcome. It may simply be a case of making a small incision into the abscess and draining it. This is known as pulpitis. As the pulpitis progresses, the bacteria make their way to the bone that surrounds and supports the tooth, called the alveolar bone, and a periapical abscess is formed.
When bacteria which are present in plaque infect the gums, the patient has periodontitis. The gums become inflamed, which can make the tissue surrounding the root of the tooth separate from the base of the tooth. A periodontal pocket, a tiny gap, is formed when the periodontal ligament separates from the root.
The pocket gets dirty easily and is very hard to keep clean. As bacteria build up in the periodontal pocket, a periodontal abscess is formed. Patients can develop periodontal abscesses as a result of a dental procedure which accidentally resulted in periodontal pockets. Also, the use of antibiotics in untreated periodontitis, which can mask the symptoms of an abscess, can result in a periodontal abscess.
Sometimes gum damage can lead to periodontal abscesses, even if no periodontitis is present. While home remedies can help make a person more comfortable while they wait for treatment, it is important to visit a healthcare professional for treatment to avoid any of the complications of a dental abscess.
In the vast majority of cases, complications only occur if the abscess is left untreated. However, complications can occur, even after seemingly effective treatment, but this is very rare. Possible complications include:. Dental cysts: A fluid-filled cavity may develop at the bottom of the root of the tooth if the abscess is not treated. This is called a dental cyst. There is a significant risk that the cyst will become infected.
If this happens, the patient will need antibiotics, and possibly surgery. Osteomyelitis: The bacteria in the abscess gets into the bloodstream and infects the bone. The patient will experience an elevated body temperature, severe pain in the affected bone, and possibly nausea.
Typically, the affected bone will be near the site of the abscess. However, as it may have spread into the bloodstream any bone in the body may be affected. Treatment involves either oral or intravenous antibiotics. Cavernous sinus thrombosis: The spread of bacteria causes a blood clot to form at the cavernous sinus, a large vein at the base of the brain.
Cavernous sinus thrombosis is treated with antibiotics, and sometimes surgery to drain the sinus. In some cases, the condition can be fatal. This is a very rare complication.
There is swelling and intense pain under the tongue and in the neck. In severe cases, the patient may find it hard to breathe. Patients are treated with antibiotics. Maxillary sinusitis: The bacteria spread into small spaces behind the cheekbones, called the maxillary sinuses. This is not a serious condition but can be painful.
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