There are few things that can spoil your day quite like toothache. Sometimes it starts as a mild discomfort that comes and goes, but occasionally the pain builds quickly and becomes impossible to ignore. One possible reason for this is a dental abscess.
Although most people have probably heard the term before, not everyone knows exactly what an abscess is or why it develops. Some patients assume it is simply a badly infected tooth, while others believe a course of antibiotics will make everything return to normal. Unfortunately, things are rarely that straightforward.
An abscess is a sign that bacteria have caused an infection which the body is struggling to deal with on its own. While the modern treatments we have available at the Smile Dental Practice in Croydon are very effective at treating these infections, leaving them for too long can allow the problem to become much more serious.
In simple terms, an abscess is a pocket of pus that forms because of a bacterial infection.
Your body's immune system immediately reacts by trying to fight the bacteria. White blood cells gather around the infected area and, as things progress, this can cause a build-up of fluid, bacteria and dead cells. This is the pus that makes up the abscess.
As pressure builds inside the tissues, the pain often becomes increasingly intense. Some people describe it as a constant throbbing sensation, while others find the pain comes in waves and seems to spread into the jaw, ear or even the side of the head.
It is rare for a dental abscess to build overnight. Usually, they quietly develop over a period of weeks or even months.
A small area of tooth decay may gradually work its way through the hard enamel before reaching the softer dentine underneath. Eventually, if there is no intervention to stop this, bacteria find their way into the centre of the tooth where the nerve and blood supply are located. At that point, the infection can spread beyond the tip of the root and into the surrounding bone.
It isn’t just decay that can lead to an abscess though. A cracked tooth may allow bacteria to enter areas that are normally sealed off. Gum disease can also create deep pockets around the roots of teeth where harmful bacteria collect. Even an old filling or crown that has started to leak around the edges may sometimes allow bacteria to gain access to the tooth.
Some abscesses are incredibly painful, while others begin with little more than tenderness when biting. You might notice that hot drinks suddenly become uncomfortable, or perhaps a cold drink sends a sharp pain through the tooth.
Swelling around the gum is another common sign, and in some cases the swelling extends into the cheek or jaw. Occasionally, people notice an unpleasant taste in the mouth because a small amount of pus has started to drain.
If you begin feeling unwell, develop a temperature or notice swelling spreading across the face, you should contact our local clinic without delay.
In some cases, the pain may develop then stop. This can lead patients to believe that the problem has ‘gone away’. Usually, what this indicates is that the pus has found a route for it to release some of the fluids and this reduces the pressure that leads to the pain. Another possible factor is that the nerves in the tooth may have died altogether. Even if the pain goes then, you should still see the dentist at our Croydon dental practice.
The treatment that the dentist will carry out will depend on the result of an examination of the problem. Whenever possible, the aim is to save the tooth.
If the infection is confined to the inside of the tooth, a root canal procedure may remove the infected tissue and allow the tooth to remain in place for many years. Sometimes, however, the damage is simply too extensive. If the tooth cannot be restored successfully, removing it may be the best option.
While antibiotics certainly have an important role in some situations, particularly if the infection has spread or facial swelling is present, they don't remove the source of the infection. Unless the tooth itself is treated, the abscess will usually return.
Most abscesses begin as relatively small dental problems that simply haven't been noticed or treated early enough. In some cases this may even be because the patient has chosen to ignore the problem rather than see a dentist; perhaps for reasons of significant dental anxiety.
rushing your teeth thoroughly twice each day with fluoride toothpaste remains one of the best forms of protection. Cleaning between your teeth removes plaque from places a toothbrush can't always reach, while reducing the number of sugary snacks throughout the day gives your teeth a better opportunity to recover after meals.
Regular dental examinations are equally valuable. Tiny areas of decay can often be treated long before they reach the nerve of the tooth, and small cracks or failing fillings are usually much easier to deal with before bacteria find their way inside.
As with many oral problems, prevention is naturally the best option available, but if problems do arise, make sure you contact the Smile Dental Practice for an appointment so that we can treat it in an as minimally invasive way as possible, rather than waiting and needing more extensive intervention. In some cases, leaving it too long may cause the abscess to spread beyond the tooth and into other facial areas.
If you suspect you might have an abscess or even what you consider to be a relatively minor issue, it is always best to contact us straight away. You can do this by calling our friendly reception team on 020 8649 7911.
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