poor oral hygiene – plaque can build-up on your teeth if you don't floss and brush your teeth regularly. consuming lots of sugary or starchy food and drink – these can encourage the growth of bacteria in plaque and may lead to decay that can result in an abscess.
Only a dentist can give you an accurate diagnosis. However, if you continue to get gum abscesses, it may be due to untreated periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection characterized by inflamed, tender gums. A related cause of recurring gum abscesses is the existence of deep periodontal pockets.
Gum disease is the most common reason why this occurs, and it's the number one risk factor for periodontal abscesses. You're also more likely to develop a gum abscess if you have: Bruxism (chronic teeth grinding and clenching). Teeth damaged by injury or trauma.
An abscess can occur with serious gum disease (periodontitis), which causes the gums to pull away from the teeth. This leaves deep pockets where bacteria can grow. If tartar builds up too much, or if food gets stuck in the pockets, pus forms. If the pus can't drain, it forms an abscess.
An abscessed tooth can cause very serious consequences including tooth loss, jaw bone damage, sinus involvement, brain infection, heart complications and even death.
A persistent lump on the gums needs a professional evaluation. Such a lump may be caused by a tooth or gum abscess or by irritation. But, because any abnormal lumps in the mouth can be cancer, the growths should be checked by a dental professional without delay.
When to see a doctor. See your dentist promptly if you have any signs or symptoms of a tooth abscess. If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
You might be wondering what to do next after the gum abscess popped by itself. It's possible that you find yourself dealing with a mixture of pus, blood, and bad odor from your mouth when the abscess bursts. You should take the necessary steps to drain the pus, keeping the area clean.
Time Span of an Untreated Abscess
In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more.
Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a chronic skin disease characterized by recurrent boil-like lumps (nodules) under the skin. The nodules become inflamed and painful. They tend to break open (rupture), causing abscesses that drain fluid and pus.
Dental abscesses can occur during times of stress due to your bodies inability to fight infection. When you are stressed, your immune system becomes weaker and more susceptible to infection. Consequently, a bacterial infection can cause dental abscesses inside the teeth, gums or bone around the mouth.
For some people (especially people with a weakened immune system), boils and carbuncles come back in the same area or never completely go away. Recurrent boils can be a sign of a life-threatening infection called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Ever wonder what happens if an abscess bursts in your mouth and you swallow it? That bacteria travels to new bodily systems and could very seriously sicken you. Sepsis is also a possibility. The infection may cause swelling that could interfere with your airway.
Don't stop your oral hygiene routine: Continue to brush and floss. Don't be fooled if your dental abscess stops hurting: Pain associated with a dental abscess may go away if the tooth root has died. But a dead tooth root doesn't mean the infection is gone. In fact, the infection from a dental abscess can still spread.
Oral antibiotics can kill the bacteria causing the infection and keep the infection from spreading or reinfecting the area. This may also reduce swelling and pain in the area. Antibiotics are not a replacement for dental work, however, and they will not cure the abscess.
Take a cold compress to the infected area for 15 minutes at a time. Repeat as needed. This remedy will help numb the area and decrease inflammation.
Warm saltwater rinses: If an abscess erupts by itself, you can use a warm saltwater rinse to help soothe and clean your mouth and encourage drainage until you can see your dentist. Your dentist also may recommend rinses during the treatment recovery time to reduce discomfort and promote healing.
Dental abscesses are treated by removing the source of the infection and draining away the pus. Depending on the location of the abscess and how severe the infection is, possible treatments include: removing the affected tooth (extraction) – this may be necessary if root canal treatment isn't possible.
Sometimes the infection can get to the point where swelling threatens to block the airway, making it hard to breathe. Dental abscesses can also make you generally ill, with nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, and sweats.
Dental abscesses are usually treated by a dentist. The dentist will drain away the pus. If a problem with your tooth has caused the abscess, you may need root canal treatment, or the tooth may be removed. You'll be given a local anaesthetic, so you do not feel any pain.
It can form on the inside of the tooth (a periapical abscess) or the surrounding gum (a periodontal abscess). Although tooth abscesses are a fairly common dental condition, they need to be treated quickly to reduce the risk of more serious infections.