How Do I Know If I Have a Tooth Abscess
If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know how painful they can be. The teeth are made of layers of different materials, with durable enamel and dentin protecting the vital inner pulp of the tooth. This pulp is chock-full of blood cells and nerve endings, causing toothache pain to be excruciating; some toothaches can get so bad that it’s difficult to even open your mouth. Sometimes, a toothache is accompanied by visible symptoms like a discolored tooth or swelling in the jaw, face, or gums, and some toothaches come with unpleasant side effects like a bad taste or foul smell in the mouth. If you have a toothache that lasts more than a few days, see your dentist. If you have any of the symptoms of a tooth abscess, schedule an appointment right away. Only a dental professional can diagnose and treat a tooth abscess, which can lead to life-threatening conditions if left untreated.
A tooth abscess is an infection caused by bacterial buildup on or beneath the surface of the teeth or gums, and an abscess won’t go away on its own. There are many causes of a tooth abscess, including poor oral hygiene, untreated tooth decay, gum disease, broken dental work, smoking, a compromised immune system, and broken or damaged teeth – to name just a few. There are also multiple signs of tooth abscess, which can vary depending on the location and severity of the abscess. Some symptoms include visible effects like tooth discoloration or swelling in the jaw, gums, face, or neck. You may also see a visibly raised swelling in the gums that appears like a pimple, or visible pus leaking onto the gums, and you might notice a foul taste and odor in the mouth. You may have difficulty opening your mouth or moving your jaw, and your teeth may be exceedingly sensitive to food or drinks that are hot, cold, acidic, or sweet.
If you have a toothache that is interfering with your ability to eat, speak, or otherwise function, you probably have a tooth abscess, and the pain might be throbbing and intense. As infection spreads, the pressure exerted on the gums and jaw increases, causing this throbbing pain to escalate. Pain in the tooth, gums, and jaw might get worse when you lie down and may be accompanied by headache or earache pain, or a fever or feeling of general unwellness. If you notice these more severe symptoms, seek prompt medical attention. In general, it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as you notice any signs of a tooth abscess, as the infection will not disappear without medical intervention. Even if you notice that the pain of an abscess has passed, the infection will still be present; infection can deaden the nerves in the tooth, causing pain to dissipate, but the infection can still spread and cause systemic damage that could be life-threatening.
The most common treatment for a tooth abscess is a root canal, though more severely damaged teeth might need to be removed completely. Before performing a root canal, your dentist will drain the abscess with a small incision in the gums. In some cases, this is sufficient for healing an abscess. If a root canal treatment is needed, your dentist will remove infected tissue and treat the inside of the tooth in an attempt to preserve the natural tooth; you may also receive a prescription for antibiotics to eliminate any remaining infection and prevent infection from spreading.