A LOOK AT THE CAUSES OF ABSCESSED TEETH

There are a number of complications that may arise when you fail to provide your teeth with the proper maintenance, from gingivitis to tooth abscesses—and these issues can progress if they are not taken care of in a timely fashion. Although abscessed teeth may sometimes result from improper maintenance, they can also stem from several other factors. Continue reading to take a look at the causes of abscessed teeth, and contact your dentist in Belmont if you are worried that you may be suffering from an abscessed tooth.

Advanced Tooth Decay
In many cases, a tooth abscess starts out as a regular cavity. Forgetting to brush and floss your teeth every day can lead to tooth decay and cavities, which can continue to progress and cause more and more trouble for your teeth if left untreated. A dental cavity can result in an abscessed tooth when the decay spreads all the way to the pulp chamber of the tooth. The pulp then becomes irritated and inflamed, which you will experience as a toothache. This inflammation, or pulpitis, may be reversible or irreversible. Irreversible pulpitis culminates in the death of the pulp and the formation of an abscess. The sooner you address this type of tooth abscess, the better your chances are of saving the tooth.

Tooth Trauma
Sometimes, you may develop a tooth abscess despite practicing perfect oral hygiene habits. If you experience a trauma to the tooth that prevents blood from continuing to reach it, the pulp will die due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. This is an important concern for athletes who participate in contact sports, and the importance of mouth guards cannot be overstated in this respect. You can also develop an abscessed tooth over time if you regularly grind your teeth due to bruxism.

Faulty Dental Treatment
In especially unfortunate cases, you can actually develop an abscessed tooth while attempting to correct an oral problem by having a dental procedure done. If a dentist treats you with a filling or crown and it invades the space of the pulp chamber, the pulp can die and the tooth can abscess. Always communicate with your dentist in order to address an abscessed tooth quickly and correctly.