Dental Infections and Tooth Pain

Dental infection or dental abscess is formed by the collection of pus which causes infection or cavity of tooth by the invasion of bacteria. This is a common infection found in peoples of all types of age group, who have poor and insufficient dental care on teeth’s health condition.

Types of Abscess

There are two types of abscess namely,

A) Periapical abscess

Periapical abscess begins to affect the dental pulp. This kind of abscess generally develops complication in tooth producing decay (caries). Tooth decay is very common as it performs damages and erodes the shield layers of the enamel and dentine. At certain situations, periapical abscess may lead to the death of the tooth.

B) Periodontal abscess

Periodontal abscess commonly known as gum boil causes inflammation and swelling of gum by involving destruction to the supporting tissues like periodontium present between the tooth and the gum producing gum related disorders.

Factors causing tooth abscess

Production of tooth cavity by bacteria.
Inflammation of tooth pulp.
Periapical inflammation containing pus.
Dental trauma
Inflammation and infection of the tissue of gingiva (operculum).
Poor dental hygiene.

Indications of tooth abscess

Produces toothache.
Redness of gum.
Fever.
Diarrhoea.
Formation of pus.
Nausea and vomiting.
Chills and sensitiveness of tooth.
Shaky and tenderness of tooth.
Difficulty in swallowing.
Inflammation and protuberance of gum ending up in swelling.

Treatment

Analgesics can be given to patients in order to reduce the pain caused by dental abscess. Severe pain and inflammation can be decreased by using analgesics for treating the disorder.
Sometimes, even antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin can prescribed by the dentist to make you feel better and to be cured from the disorder.
Gargling salt water will be effective against tooth infections that had caused inflammation and pain.
In case of advanced stage of teeth infection, it might be necessary for some surgical treatment to remove the affected portion of the tooth

Prevention

Dental abscesses are mostly preventable if good oral hygiene is maintained by you. Use of mouth wash, regular brushing, and flossing along with routine dental visits will keep you away from tooth infections.

Authored By Dr.C.M.Bejoy Mony, M.D.S.