A tooth infection can be a serious dental problem that can lead to the eventual loss of a tooth, and in more severe cases the loss of several teeth. Obtaining dentistry Glasgow, and visiting your dentist regularly will help you catch the problem before it becomes something more serious.
Types of Dental Abscess
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms when a bacterial infection starts to break down the tissue.
There are three main types of abscess you can get;
Gingival Abscess
A gingival abscess is a gum abscess that forms of the surface of the gum tissue at the gum line of the teeth.
This often happens when there is damage caused to external of the gum. For example, if food was to enter the gum line or if the gum was to get penetrated by a toothpick.
This type of abscess is normally easily treated, but if it’s left too long it can cause other complications and quite a lot of oral damage.
Periodontal Abscess
This type of dental abscess can be quite dangerous. This is because the infection is deep in the gum pockets. The abscess has nowhere to drain from here, so it can spread into the surrounding tissue and even the jawline. If left untreated this can be really serious.
Periapical Abscess
A periapical is usually the result of decay deep within the tooth. This happens once the protective enamel and dentin has been eroded away by tooth decay. There is then no barrier and the bacteria can invade the nerves and the tooth pulp.
Causes
Your mouth naturally contains bacteria and when this is not cleaned well it the bacteria causes plaque to build up on the teeth and gums. A tooth infection develops when the acid produced by the plaque starts to decay the teeth or gums.
Abscesses commonly occur when tooth decay goes unnoticed and is left to spread. Some other possible causes for an abscess include;
- Gum disease (gingivitis)
- A cracked tooth
- Trauma
- Complications from dental surgery (e.g. implants, root canal treatment and extractions)
- Rough tooth brushing
- Food stuck between teeth and gums
Poor dental hygiene is one of the main causes of dental abscess. If you don’t go to the dentist regularly enough, have a look at where to go for dentistry Glasgow.
Symptoms
The first signs of a tooth infection may be quite severe. Generally, after a while, the symptoms go away and people just ignore it.
- Continuous, throbbing pain
- Pain when the tooth is tapped
- Pain is increased when eating hot or cold drinks
- Discomfort when biting teeth together or chewing
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Swelling and reddening of the face or gums
- Bleeding gums
- Loose or discoloured tooth
- Pea-sized bump inside of mouth
More serious symptoms may mean that the abscess complications include;
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Swollen lymph glands
- Pain spreading to the jaw, ear or neck on the same side as the infected tooth
- Difficulty opening your mouth (trismus)
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing (dysphagia)
- General fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms, then contact your dentist. Dentistry Glasgow is some of the best in the world, with plenty of highly trained and experienced dentists, you won’t be sort for choice.