Dental abscess - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Dental abscess is an infectious lesion of the periodontal tissues which requires dental treatment given the risks of more or less serious complications. The dental abscess is a localized purulent bacterial infection in the periodontal tissues. Without treatment, it can lead to the destruction of dental support structures. The abscess may be acute or chronic; in the second case it is characterized by the continual evacuation of pus into the oral cavity. 

Favorable Factors:

Stress, diabetes and recent upper respiratory tract infection are risk factors.

symptoms:

Sudden, intense and throbbing pain usually occurs at the root of the tooth, a burning gum, bad taste in the mouth and bad breath, increased mobility of the tooth, evacuation of pus by caries or gums, and If the infection is spread swelling under the skin, discomfort to open the mouth, fever, fatigue and chills.

It may happen that the walls of the abscess rupture by themselves, causing a discharge of greenish and nauseous pus. After draining the abscess, the pain disappears. If the abscess is poorly treated, the infection may spread to the dental bone matrix. This is the reason why the abscess is an emergency, you should consult as soon as possible a dentist.

Treatment:

The walls of the abscess must be ruptured to drain the pus. Thus, a simple incision with the bistoury at the level of the abscess allows the drainage of the pus, if this has not been done spontaneously.

The procedure is supplemented by antibiotics, endodontic cleaning (inside the dental canal) and, finally, by filling the cavity with a sealing paste and placing a crown.

Extraction of the tooth and treatment of periodontitis is sometimes considered.

Prevention:

Good oral hygiene and control visits to the dentist (scaling) are essential in preventing dental abscess.

Dental abscesses can be avoided provided they have good oral hygiene:

1.Wash your teeth three times a day and have an effective brushing. Who says effective brushing says: precise brushing using a toothbrush changed regularly, preferably soft.

2.Regular dental checking (twice a year for children and once for adults). The opportunity to check the absence of caries, to control the condition of the gums and to do a regular scaling to totally eliminate plaque and prevent it from turning into tartar. This irritating deposit, rich in germs, favors gingival diseases and caries formation.

3.Decrease or stop tobacco consumption, which favors periodontics.

4.Monitor his diet. Too acidic, the diet promotes demineralisation of the enamel. Avoid: citrus juices, but also soft drinks.