Just like any other part other of our body, we can injure the inside of our mouth. If this happens, bacteria can potentially enter and cause an infection—which can lead to a painful swelling filled with pus. If the pus can’t escape the area will become even more swollen and painful. This is known as an abscess. Essentially, an abscess is a barrier that keeps the infection from spreading to the rest of your body.
There are two types of abscesses that can form. First is a gum abscess. This is an infection that occurs in between the tooth and the gum. The second kind of abscess is a tooth related abscess and it occurs in your actual tooth. This happens when the nerve is dead or dying and shows itself at the tip of the root.
These are several symptoms of an abscess. These symptoms include a fever, pain when chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold, a bitter taste in your mouth, bad breath, swollen neck glands, discomfort, redness or swelling of your gums, and could be more! That is why it is vital to talk to your dentist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Our dentist will treat the abscessed tooth with antibiotics and will start by draining the infection if it needs it. The real goal will be to eliminate the infection, preserve as much of the original tooth as possible, and prevent further complications from forming. However, if the abscess is bad enough, root canal therapy will need to be performed with a crown placed on top.
If you worry that you may have an abscessed tooth, we recommend getting to our dentist right away. Dr. Heather H. Bobb and our team are highly qualified and will help with any issue you may have. Just call Heather Bobb, DDS, FICOI at 512-858-7200 to schedule an appointment. We are eager to hear from you.