An abscess is a pathological cavity filled with pus caused by a bacterial infection. It is an acute purulent infection that develops in the apical part of the tooth. This condition is usually caused by bacteria originating from infected teeth in both the maxilla and mandible.
There are two types of dental abscess, periapical abscess and periodontal abscess. A periapical abscess occurs at the tip of the root of a tooth, while a periodontal abscess occurs in the gums around the tooth.
Children to adults can experience tooth abscess. A person who has a tooth abscess must get treatment from a doctor and cannot be treated independently. Infections that cause tooth abscesses must be treated immediately because the infection is at risk of spreading beyond the jaw to the neck, head, or other body parts.
Causes of Tooth Abscess
Bacteria that play a role in the process of abscess formation are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. Staphylococcus aureus in this process has an active enzyme called coagulase whose function is to deposit fibrin. While Streptococcus mutans has 3 main enzymes that play a role in the spread of dental infections, namely streptokinase, streptodornase, and hyaluronidase.
Tooth Abscess Risk Factors
Various factors that can trigger a bacterial infection that causes a tooth abscess include:
Tooth Damage
Damage to the hard surface of the tooth is often the main trigger for a tooth abscess. Cavities in teeth can form when bacteria break down sugars in food and drink, which then creates acid. The acid then attacks the tooth enamel and forms a cavity. Once a cavity is formed, bacteria can infiltrate any cavities in the tooth and spread to the pulp.
Gum Disease
Gums that are infected or inflamed can also trigger a tooth abscess. As gum disease progresses, bacteria gain access to deeper tissues. Therefore, immediately treat gum disease so as not to develop a tooth abscess.
Injury
Trauma to the tooth can injure the inner pulp or crack the tooth. Well, these cracked teeth are often invisible. In fact, cracked teeth must be treated immediately because they are susceptible to infection. When a cracked tooth becomes infected, bacteria can enter deeper into the tooth and cause a tooth abscess.
Lack of Maintaining Cleanliness
Poor oral hygiene can make plaque build up. This plaque buildup over time can cause cavities, if not treated immediately can develop into a tooth abscess. Therefore, clean your teeth regularly and thoroughly using a toothbrush and dental floss.
Food Consumption
Eating too many sugary and starchy foods can encourage the growth of bacteria in plaque. This decaying plaque can eventually lead to cavities which can lead to tooth abscesses if left untreated.
Weak Immune System
People with weak immune systems are more prone to developing tooth abscesses than others. Usually, people with weakened immune systems are caused by certain health conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, or people with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). A person who is undergoing treatment such as steroid drugs or chemotherapy is also more prone to developing a tooth abscess.
Symptoms of Tooth Abscess
In most cases, a tooth abscess causes pain that comes on suddenly and gets worse in the tooth and gums. In addition, there are also other symptoms, such as:
- The tooth feels throbbing pain.
- Teeth hurt when chewing.
- Teeth are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
- Bitter taste in mouth.
- Bad breath.
- Red and swollen gums.
- Loosening of teeth.
- Swollen areas in the upper or lower jaw.
- Fever.
- Swollen neck glands.
- Restless due to pain
Tooth Abscess Diagnosis
To diagnose a tooth abscess, the dentist will ask questions about the complaints and the patient's medical history. For example, such as having suffered an injury, suffering from certain medical conditions, or undergoing certain medications. After that, the doctor will perform the following steps to diagnose a tooth abscess:
- Tap the teeth. Teeth with abscessed roots are generally more sensitive to touch or pressure.
- Panoramic Radiography. A panoramic dental X-ray or panoramic radiograph is a scan of the upper and lower jaw to give a two-dimensional picture of the teeth. The doctor will usually recommend a panoramic X-ray to identify the abscess and find out if the infection has spread to other areas.
- Computed Tomography Scan (CT scan). If the infection has spread to other areas within the neck, the doctor will need to perform a CT scan to assess the extent of the infection.
Tooth Abscess Treatment
The main focus of dental abscess treatment is to eliminate the infection. The following treatment options can be performed by dentists:
Abscess Drainage
The dentist will need to make a small incision in the abscess to allow the pus to drain out. Once the pus has drained away, the dentist will clean the area with salt water. Sometimes, a small rubber channel is placed to keep the area open for drainage, while the swelling will decrease.
Root Canal Treatment
This treatment aims to eliminate the infection and save the tooth. The doctor will drill into the tooth, remove the diseased central tissue (pulp) and drain the abscess. After that, the dentist will fill and seal the pulp chamber and root canal of the tooth. Teeth can be covered with crowns to make them stronger, especially if the back teeth are infected.
Tooth extraction
If the affected tooth cannot be saved, the dentist will need to extract the tooth and drain the abscess to remove the infection. Before extracting a tooth, the dentist will need to give a local anesthetic through an injection to the nerve around the tooth to be extracted. To reduce pain from the injection, the doctor may also apply an anesthetic gel to the area to be injected first.
Antibiotics
If the infection has spread to nearby teeth, jaws or other areas, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading further. Your doctor may also recommend antibiotics if you have a weakened immune system.
Complications of Tooth Abscess
Tooth abscess cannot be treated independently or without treatment. If not treated promptly, the abscess has the potential to rupture and the infection can spread to the jaw or other areas of the head and neck. This infection is at risk of developing into sepsis, which is an infection that spreads throughout the body and can be life threatening. For someone with a weakened immune system, leaving a tooth abscess untreated risks increasing the spread of infection.
Tooth Abscess Prevention
Prevention can be done by routinely controlling dental health, brushing teeth regularly, especially before going to bed, and immediately taking treatment if there are cavities or cracked teeth. Here's the right way to maintain dental health:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste.
- Use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between your teeth every day.
- Change your toothbrush every three or four months, or whenever the bristles are frayed.
- Eat healthy foods, limit sugary foods and snacks between meals.
- Visit the dentist for regular checkups and thorough dental cleanings.
- Consider using an antiseptic or fluoride mouthwash to add an extra layer of protection against tooth decay.
When to go to the doctor?
If you have cavities or there is pain in your teeth, immediately consult a dentist. Proper handling can minimize the negative effects of a tooth abscess so that treatment can be carried out more quickly.
Immediately make a hospital appointment at the right clinic or hospital according to your needs here. If you have been diagnosed with a tooth abscess, do regular checkups to monitor dental care so that you can recover faster.
