How do you tell if your tooth pain is an abscessed tooth? And what can your dentist do to help? An abscessed tooth is typically a secondary problem that occurs from an infection caused by tooth decay, periodontal disease or a cracked/fractured tooth. These tooth problems all provide a breeding ground for bacteria to enter the pulp of your tooth and cause infection. The pulp of your tooth is the soft tissue inside your tooth that holds nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues and it is vital that your tooth pulp remain healthy.
So how does an abscess actually form? When there is an infection, pus can build up at the tip of the root in the jawbone. This pus-pocket is the abscess that causes pain, swelling and redness in your gums. It typically creates a bad taste in your mouth and can even cause a fever. It is critical that you seek treatment for an abscess before it infects your jawbone and your surrounding teeth is severe and painful, your dentist can also drain the infection as well. If gum disease is the culprit, your dentist can give you a deep cleaning to remove any bacteria and debris between the gum and tooth. When your abscess is caused by an infection of a fractured or cracked tooth, you may need a root canal to properly address the tooth pulp.
To ensure you are not a sufferer of the pain and discomfort of an abscessed tooth, it is important that you attend your routine dental exams and cleanings and maintain good oral hygiene habits to prevent infection risks.
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