Tooth abscess is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth. It's most commonly caused by severe tooth decay.
What are the Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth?
A toothache that is severe and continuous and results in gnawing or throbbing pain or sharp or shooting pain are common symptoms of an abscessed tooth. Other symptoms may include:
Treatment of an Abscessed tooth ?
Strategies to eliminate the infection, preserve the tooth, and prevent complications are the goals of treatment for an abscessed tooth.
To eliminate infection, the abscess may need to be drained. Achieving drainage may be done through the tooth by a procedure known as a root canal. Root canal surgery may also be recommended to remove any diseased root tissue after the infection has subsided. Then, a crown may be placed over the tooth.
The tooth may also be extracted, allowing drainage through the socket.
Finally, a third way to drain the abscess would be by incision into the swollen gum tissue
What are the causes of acute toothache ?
1. Pain when eating food or drinks cold or hot or sugary :
- This pain results of a cavity in the tooth because of cares . Food or drinks enter into the tooth and the stimulates the nerve supply , causing pain. In the early days pain lasts a few seconds to a minute.
- treatment of this case is to put a dental filling to close the cavity.
2. Severe pain without any cause or acute pain during sleep:
- This pain is due to the attack of cares to the nerve.
- you may get rid of this pain by following one of two the following options : treatment of the nerve or extraction of the tooth . Treatment depends on the extent of dental cares . If it is widespread and has damaged a large portion of the tooth structure , then the solution is to extract the tooth. If the tooth is restorable then the best way is root canal treatment .
3. Acute pain when chewing ( on occlusion of teeth ) :
- pain may be caused of :
1. A fracture of a tooth or tooth root.
2. Acute inflammation at the root of the tooth.
- pain may be relieved by : either root canal treatment or extraction of tooth.
4. Severe pain when brushing teeth:
- With the deteriorating of the health condition of the gums due to negligence or because of age, the gum recedes revealing the sensitive teeth roots. Touching brush to these roots or touching the inflamed gums will cause tooth ache .
- If the pain is a result of gum disease , then treatment begins by cleaning it at the dentist and follow his instructions. But If the pain is due to a contact of the rush to the sensitive tooth roots , then the use of special toothpaste for sensitive teeth for a week at least is enough to solve the problem. See your dentist to find out the best toothpaste for your condition.