Dealing with a Tooth Abscess

Did you ever have a boil over your gums along with pain? If pus oozes out of it and if it keeps coming back, it is definitely a case of an abscess. A tooth abscess is an accumulation of pus. These are of different types - periodontal abscess which occurs on the side of the tooth root whereas periapical abscess occurs on the tip of the root over the gums.

They are caused by decay, periodontal (gum) disease, cracked tooth, lodgement of foreign object (ex. popcorn kernel) or involves partially erupted third molar. The abscess could lead to throbbing pain over the tooth, swelling and redness of the gums, pain while you chew, bad taste in the mouth or sensitivity.

A tooth abscess can be diagnosed by clinical and X-ray examination. It can be treated by establishing pus drainage by making an incision over the most fluctuant part (a small cut over the abscess) and treating the cause - for example if decay is the cause then that should be treated. It could also be because of the underlying medical condition - for example uncontrolled diabetes. At such times the underlying disease has to be treated along with the treatment of the abscess.

Periodontal surgery could be required in case of deep pockets (separation between the teeth and gums) or furcation involvement (bone loss in the area of branching of the roots). Root canal treatment may be recommended in an attempt to save the affected tooth. It could be required if the abscess is present on the apical aspect of the gum or in case of decayed tooth.

A dental abscess is considered an emergency and may spread to the soft tissues (referred to as cellulitis and ludwig's angina) or it could affect the bone around infected tooth. Thus, leaving the abscess untreated could result into serious and life-threatening problems. In case of severe infection, surgery may be needed to drain the abscess or extraction would be required as the last resort.


Dr. Shraddha Karkhanis

BDS, MDS

Periodontist & Oral Implantologist

Contact number - 9820497737

Clinic Address - 1 Smile One Care, Shop no 3, Arya Kreeda Mandal, Maharshi Karve Road, Naupada, Thane west 400602

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