What Causes an Abscessed Tooth?

An abscessed tooth is one of the most troubling oral health concerns you could have. This condition not only can affect a single tooth, but it might spread throughout your jaw. If you do not see a general dentist, an abscess could even move into other areas of  your body, causing further problems and health concerns. It is helpful to understand the nature of this dental condition. You should also know how the dentist can treat it and what you can do to avoid it.

What is it?

A tooth abscess is not uncommon in dental patients. This occurs when there is an infected pocket of pus in different regions of the person’s tooth. Dentists find many of these at the tip of the root, but an abscess can also grow in the gums. This serious condition can affect the integrity of the tooth if a general dentist does not treat it. In the most severe cases, an abscess can threaten a person’s life.

The causes

An abscessed tooth comes from bacteria in the dental pulp. This is a chamber under the enamel and dentin that contains blood vessels, nerves and tissue, which strengthen the tooth. The bacteria will infect the tooth and find its way there through a cavity or crack. This can be a result of poor dental hygiene or an injury to the tooth.

Areas of concern

Patients should worry about getting an abscess on a tooth if they eat a lot of sugary foods. These are significant culprits of cavities. A dentist can treat a cavity without much trouble. However, when a patient ignores this problem and puts off a dental appointment, the cavity can get worse and turn into an abscess. Also, people who do not brush or floss are prone to this problem.

Possible effects

A patient should not expect the abscess to disappear; it requires major dental intervention. It will bring severe pain to the affected area, along with inflammation in the gums and surrounding area. Patients with a severe abscess may feel discomfort and pain in the jaw, head and neck. The infection will continue to roam throughout the body until a dentist repairs the tooth.

What the dentist can do for an abscessed tooth

Though this issue should cause a lot of concern, the dentist has the knowledge and training to remove the infection and provide relief. The dentist does this by performing a root canal. With this treatment, the dentist will drill into the patient’s affected tooth and remove the pulp. The dentist will also inject medication into the tooth to kill the infection. Following this, the dentist will seal the tooth and may cap it off with a crown.

Do not let it happen to you

With good dental health habits and a low-sugar diet, you can reduce the risk of a tooth abscess. You should not have to worry about this condition if you are diligent about looking after your oral health and you visit your family dentist regularly. Still, if you start to feel extreme pain and swelling, your dentist can help. Make an appointment today if you suspect you may have an abscess.

Request an appointment here: https://www.yourfamilysmiles.com or call Family Dental Care of Chicago at (773) 250-1194 for an appointment in our Chicago office.

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