A tooth abscess is a medical condition that occurs as a result of an infection in the gum or inside the tooth. It typically arises due to a bacterial infection.
A tooth abscess is the result of a bacterial infection that develops from conditions such as tooth decay, gum infection, or tooth trauma. Bacteria accumulate inside or around the tooth, leading to an infection. If the infection spreads, an abscess can form. A tooth abscess can occur in the jawbones, gum tissues, tooth pulp (the part containing nerves and blood vessels), or other surrounding tissues.
What is a Tooth Abscess?
A tooth abscess is an infection that occurs in the root of the tooth, gum, or in between teeth.
What Causes a Tooth Abscess?
The most common cause is tooth decay. Other causes of a tooth abscess include trauma (fracture, chipping) and gum diseases. These issues create openings in the tooth enamel, which is the protective layer covering the tooth, allowing bacteria to reach the center of the tooth (pulp). Subsequently, the infection can spread from the root of the tooth to the supporting bone.
What are the Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess?
Common symptoms of a tooth abscess include a gnawing or throbbing type of severe and persistent pain, sudden or shooting pain.
Other symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Pain during chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures in the teeth (often relief with cold, sometimes with heat)
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Bad breath
- Swollen neck glands
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or feeling ill
- Redness and swelling of the gums
- Swollen area in the upper or lower jaw
- Open, draining sore at the gum’s edge
- Loosening of the tooth
If the tooth root becomes infected and the toothache subsides, it does not mean the infection has healed; the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue. Therefore, it is important to seek dental attention if you experience any of the above symptoms, even if the pain subsides.
