A dental abscess is one of the most serious conditions we treat. It is not just "a bad toothache". It is a bacterial infection that has established a stronghold in your jaw. While many people try to ignore the pain hoping it will go away, ignoring an abscess can lead to life-threatening complications.
What is a Dental Abscess?
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms when bacteria invade the dental pulp (nerve) or the deep gum pockets. The body sends white blood cells to fight the bacteria, resulting in a buildup of pus, pressure, and inflammation.
There are two main types:
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- Periapical Abscess: Occurs at the tip of the tooth root (caused by decay/dying nerve).
- Periodontal Abscess: Occurs in the gums next to a tooth root (caused by gum disease).
Why is it Dangerous?
The mouth is very close to vital structures: the brain, the airway, and the sinuses. Unlike a cut on your finger, an infection inside a tooth has nowhere to drain. The pressure builds up, and the bacteria seek a way out.
1. Spread to the Jaw and Neck
The infection can eat through the jawbone and spread into the soft tissues of the floor of the mouth and neck. This causes massive swelling.
2. Ludwig's Angina
This is a rare but critical condition where the infection causes swelling under the tongue and in the neck so severe that it blocks the airway, causing suffocation. This is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization.
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Bacteria from the abscess can enter the bloodstream, leading to sepsis (blood poisoning), which is a systemic reaction that can be fatal if not treated aggressively.
Warning Signs
You need emergency care if you have:
- Severe, throbbing pain.
- Sensitivity to hot/cold.
- Pain when biting.
- Fever or feeling generally unwell.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
- A pimple on the gum that leaks bad-tasting fluid.
Treatment Options
Antibiotics alone do not cure an abscess. They might temporarily reduce swelling, but the physical pocket of infection remains inside the tooth. To cure it, we must physically remove the bacteria:
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- Drainage: We may make a small incision in the gum to let the pus out, providing instant relief from pressure.
- Root Canal: We clean out the infected nerve, disinfecting the inside of the tooth and saving it.
- Extraction: If the tooth is too damaged, we remove it to allow the infection to drain and heal.
If you suspect an abscess, do not wait. Every hour counts. Call Emergency Dentist London immediately.