WHAT ARE THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENTS OF DENTAL ABSCESSES?

Are you suffering from a severe toothache? If so, then a dental abscess may be to blame. If your dentist near Belmont has advised you to undergo root canal therapy for this type of problem, then continue reading to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of dental abscesses.

Causes

A dental abscess develops when bacteria enter a tooth’s pulp, which is the soft, inner part of a tooth that contains connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. Bacteria can reach the pulp when the tooth is weakened by a chip, crack, or cavity. Because of this, poor dental hygiene is a common cause of dental abscesses. Also, eating a diet that is high in sugar or having a compromised immune system can increase your risk for this condition.

Symptoms

When someone has a dental abscess, there is a range of common symptoms that he or she may experience. A toothache that causes severe and persistent throbbing, sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures, or pain with chewing or biting is often associated with a dental abscess. Swelling in the face or cheek, fever, and swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw are also common symptoms. Finally, if you have a dental abscess that ruptures, then you may experience a sudden rush of unpleasant-tasting and foul-smelling fluid in your mouth, along with less pain.

Treatments

If your dentist diagnoses you with a dental abscess, then there are several treatment options that he may recommend for eliminating the infection and draining the abscess. Often, root canals are performed to save the patient’s tooth and treat the infection. Root canals involve drilling a hole into the affected tooth, removing the pulp, treating the infection, and filling and sealing the tooth. If your tooth is too damaged to be saved, then your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction to drain the abscess and treat the infection. Finally, if the infection has spread to your jaw, other teeth, or other areas, then your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to prevent it from spreading further.