A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that slowly grows and spreads inside your teeth or gums. It’s a serious dental issue. The abscess emerges from a bacterial infection and normally gets collected in the soft pulp of your tooth. The abscess can occur at many regions of the tooth for plenty of reasons. If you are suffering from a dental abscess, then go through this blog to find out more about this dental problem. 

Symptoms

• Severe, constant toothache that can radiate to your neck, jawbone, or ear
• Teeth turn sensitive to hot and cold food or beverages
• Extreme pain while you chew or bite
• Gums may bleed
• Fever
• Insomnia
• Face or cheek start to swell
• The lymph nodes under your jaw or neck become swollen and soft 
• Foul smell from your mouth 
• You may face problem while you breathe or swallow

Types

You can find three types of dental abscess:

• Gingival abscess: This category of abscess occurs just in the gum tissue and does not affect your tooth.
• Periodontal abscess: This type of abscess develops in the supporting bone tissue structures of your teeth.
• Periapical abscess: The abscess emerges in the soft pulp of the tooth.

Causes

• Bad oral health- Bacteria makes its way through a dental cavity or cracks in the tooth and enters the tooth root. This results in swelling and inflammation and gives rise to an abscess.
• Intake of sugar items too often- When you frequently consume foods/drinks rich in sugar, it can lead to tooth abscess.
• Dry mouth- A dry mouth can heighten your risk of tooth decay and slowly an abscess may develop.
• Dental surgery- Complications while undergoing oral surgery can be a major cause as well.
• Dental trauma- Serious injury to the face can oftentimes cause a dental abscess.
• Brushing and flossing vigorously- Doing these both oral activities on repetition can also lead to a dental abscess.

Treatments

If you notice any symptoms of a dental abscess, you should visit a dentist without further delay. Treatments may include:

• Incision: The dentist here makes a tiny cut in the abscess to drain the pus, which consists of bacteria. 
• Treating a Periapical abscess: A Root canal treatment is performed in this case to take out the abscess. 
• Treating a Periodontal abscess: For this condition, the dentist drains the abscess and cleans the periodontal pockets thoroughly. 
• Extraction: If your dentist is unable to save your tooth, then you may undergo a tooth extraction process.
• Medications: Over the counter, painkillers may minimize the pain temporarily to some extent. Your dentist may also prescribe certain antibiotics.

Prevention

Avoiding decay of tooth is crucial to prevent tooth abscess. So from now on–

• Always have fluoridated drinking water. And stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Brush your teeth twice every day using fluoridated toothpaste.
• Do floss your teeth every day.
• Wash your mouth with an antiseptic or fluoride mouth rinse. 
• Change your toothbrush after every 3-4 months, especially when you find the bristles are starting to worn/fray.
• Always eat something that has nutritional value. And maintain a balanced diet.
• Try to cut down on sugary stuff and between-meal snacks.
• See your dentist for your routine check-ups and get your dental cleanings.

Get Help!

Now, if you’re suffering from a dental abscess and looking for a Dentist in Jacksonville, FL, then surely visit us at Baymeadows Park Dental.  We provide you the best treatment and care for all your dental complications. After all, when you smile, we smile!