Among many kinds of tooth infection, there is one that is unequivocal in terms of severity: Tooth abscess. Also known as a “dentoalveolar abscess” and sometimes shortened to “dental abscess”, it is a tooth infection caused by a bacterium that breaches the defenses of your teeth and makes it vulnerable to growth of contamination. We will try to discover what this specific dental problem is using a whole breadth of information to understand its pathophysiology.
But really, what is a tooth abscess?
A tooth abscess is more commonly identified as being caused by a bacterial infection, which finds its way within the tooth and in the gum tissues, and nestles there until pus surrounds the tooth and takes a final form into dental abscess.
Some people wonder how the bacteria came to break in the defenses of their teeth. Most dentists would trace it to the decaying process or a direct trauma, as these are some of the reasons why the interior parts of a tooth would be left exposed. If a patient with tooth abscess has just undergone teeth surgery or other dental processes such as root canal, teeth filling and the like, they would be the most susceptible to severe cases of tooth infection.
Tooth abscesses commonly have 3types:
- Periapicalabscess -The infection begins at the pulp. The process here starts with the wearing down of the enamel and the dentin, the protective stratus of the tooth and paving the way for bacteria to infringe and break into the innermost layer or well into the pulp of the tooth. If left untreated, periapicalabcess may develop into pulpitis and cause the tooth to die.
- Periodontal abscess – The infection begins in the supporting structure of the teeth, in the alveolar bone, periodontal ligaments and other teeth tissues. Most common reason for this infection is because of long-term deposits of food and other foreign objects that get lodged in the spaces of the teeth.
- Gingival abscess – The infection begins in the gums. Gingival abscess develops in the gum area, affecting the gum tissue without affecting the tooth.
Dental abscess is almost always accompanied by symptoms of tooth pain and signs of decay. Dental specialist use analgesics and antibiotics to combat the infection, and may prescribe painkillers for patients who are unable to withstand the pain. For those who are suffering with tooth abscess, it is important to be aware of the fast growth rate of the infection and how complications can develop from a simple tooth abscess.
