Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is the formation of a pus-filled pocket or lump on the tooth. Tooth abscess is caused by a bacterial infection. This condition can appear around the root of the tooth or in the gums.

Bacterial infections that cause tooth abscesses generally occur in people with poor dental hygiene and health. The pus that collects in the lump will gradually increase in pain.

This disease can be prevented by brushing your teeth regularly or flossing your teeth. To avoid tooth decay and abscess, it is recommended to regularly check your teeth to  the dentist .

Tooth abscesses are divided into several types. The following are the three most common types of tooth abscess:

• Periapical abscess, which is an abscess that appears at the tip of the root of the tooth.
• Periodontal abscess, which is an abscess that appears on the gum next to the tooth root and can spread to the surrounding tissue and bone.
• Gingival abscess, which is an abscess that appears on the gum.

Symptoms of Tooth Abscess

The main symptom of a tooth abscess is the appearance of pain that can come on suddenly and can get worse in the tooth or gums. Some of the other symptoms that can be felt by people with tooth abscess are:

• Fever.
• Swollen gums .
• Pain when chewing and biting.
• Toothache that radiates to the ears, jaw, and neck.
• Teeth change color.
• Sensitive to hot or cold food.
• Bad breath .
• Redness and swelling of the face.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw.
• Hard to breathe.

When to go to the dentist

Examination should be done as soon as symptoms appear to prevent the tooth abscess from getting worse. Tooth abscess can cause dangerous complications for sufferers, namely infection that spreads deeper into the jaw, head, and neck.

Immediately go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital if symptoms of a tooth abscess appear accompanied by swelling of the gums and lymph nodes, causing shortness of breath.

Dental and oral health checks need to be done regularly to the dentist . This is done to maintain the health of the oral cavity, as well as to prevent or detect early when disease appears. Therefore, it is recommended that you visit the dentist every 6 months.

Causes and Factors R i siko Dental Abscess

Tooth abscess occurs when bacteria grow in the oral cavity. Bacteria enter the tooth through holes or cracks in the patient's tooth, causing swelling and inflammation at the root tip.

This bacterial infection will be more prone to occur in someone who has the following conditions, including:

• Unclean teeth
  Not taking care of teeth and gums properly can increase the risk of dental and oral diseases, including dental abscesses.

• Foods high in sugar
  Frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks can cause cavities and develop into dental abscesses.

• Dry mouth Dry
  mouth can also interfere with dental health so that infections and tooth abscesses arise.

Dental Abscess Diagnosis

At the initial stage of the examination, the dentist will ask the patient's complaints and symptoms. The doctor will also perform a physical examination, such as the teeth and oral cavity as a whole.

During the physical exam, the doctor will tap the patient's teeth to see if they are more sensitive to touch and pressure. Usually the teeth of people who suffer from tooth abscess will be more sensitive.

Next, the doctor will perform supporting examinations which include:

• X-
  rays X- rays of teeth are done to find out how widespread the infection is, whether it has spread to other areas.

• CT scan
  CT scan is done if the infection has spread to other areas that are more distant, for example to the neck area.

Dental Abscess Treatment and Complications

To get rid of the infection and pus, the dentist will recommend the following actions:

• Discharge of pus The
  doctor will make a small incision in the abscess lump and drain the pus. After the pus is drained and the tooth area is cleaned with salt water, it is hoped that the swelling will decrease.

• Giving antibiotics
  Antibiotics are actually not needed when the act of removing pus has been done. New antibiotics are given when the infection has spread.

• Root canal treatment Root canal
  treatment can help eliminate infection. The doctor will drill down to the bottom of the tooth to remove the soft tissue that is the center of the infection and drain the pus. After that, the tooth that has been perforated will be put on a dental crown .

• P encabut an tooth
  If the affected tooth abscess could not be saved, the doctor will pull a tooth that. After that, the pus will be drained to remove the infection.

While still in the healing stage, the patient will be advised to undergo treatment at home to relieve pain, namely by gargling with salt water and taking painkillers.

Complications of Tooth Abscess

Patients with untreated tooth abscess are at risk for several complications such as:

• Tooth cyst .
• Sinusitis.
• Osteomyelitis or bone infection.
• Ludwig's angina or phlegmon of the floor of the mouth.
• Sepsis or a lethal immune system reaction due to an infection that spreads throughout the body.

Tooth Abscess Prevention

The most important way to prevent tooth abscess is to prevent tooth decay. Some steps you can take are:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride .
• Use dental floss or dental floss to clean between your teeth every day.
• Change your toothbrush regularly every 3 months.
• Avoid using mouthwash after brushing your teeth because it can eliminate the benefits of toothpaste.
• Reduce consumption of foods and drinks that contain sugar and flour, especially between meals or before bed.
• Routine dental health checks to the dentist every 6-12 months.