Dental Abscess

These are pus-filled sacs found in the tissue around the end of the root of a tooth, usually caused by bacterial infection.

Cause

A periapical abscess may occur when bacteria invade the pulp (the tissues in the central cavity of a tooth), causing the pulp to die. This often happens as a result of dental caries, as the tooth's enamel and dentine are destroyed allowing bacteria to reach the pulp. Bacteria can also gain access to the pulp when a tooth is injured. The infection in the pulp then spreads into the surrounding tissue to form an abscess.

An abcess that occurs when bacteria accumulate in the pockets that for between the teeth and gums is called a periodontal abscess. This type of abscess indicates chronic periodontal disease, in which the periodontal membrane (attachment of the tooth to bone) is damaged and, in severe cases, the supporting bone eroded.

Symptoms

The affected tooth aches or throbs, and biting or chewing is often painful. The gum around the tooth is tender and may be red and swollen. An untreated abscess may eride a sinus (a channel) through the jawbone to the gum surface, where it forms a gumboil. If the gumboil bursts, pus is discharged into the mouth, and the pain lessens. As the abscess spreads through the surrounding tissues and bones, glands in the neckand face may become swollen and symptoms of infection, such as headache and fever, may develop.

Treatment

A periapical abscess may be drained by drilling through the crown of the tooth into the pulp cavity to allow the pus to escape, followed by root-canal treatment (filling of the pulp cavity with dental cement). Extraction of the tooth may be necessary. Antibiotic drugs are perscribed if the infection has spread. A periodontal abscess can usually be treated by carefuk scraping away of the infected material by the dentist.

Hope this helps and good luck. You should ask a dentist if you have any further questions.