What is an Oral Abscess?

What is an oral abscess?

An oral abscess is an infection at the root of the tooth or between the gum and the tooth. It’s a result of tooth decay and erosion, which is caused by cavities or poor oral health habits. An abscess creates a pocket of pus on the inside of the teeth, gums, or throat. 

There are three types of abscesses:

  • Gingival abscess: This type of abscess only affects the gum tissue.  
  • Periodontal abscess: This type of abscess starts in the supporting bone tissue structures of the teeth.
  • Periapical abscess: This abscess affects the soft pulp of the tooth.

Causes of Oral Abscesses:

Oral abscesses are caused by bacterial infections that have accumulated in the soft pulp of the tooth.  The soft pulp of the tooth contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue.

Other factors that may cause oral abscesses:

  • Poor dental hygiene:  Not taking proper care of your teeth and gums (i.e. such as not brushing your teeth twice a day and not flossing) can increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, tooth abscess, and other dental and mouth complications.
  • High sugar intake:  Frequently eating and drinking foods rich in sugar can contribute to dental cavities and turn into a tooth abscess.

Symptoms That Are Common:

The main symptom of a dental abscess is pain. This pain can be intolerable and frequently gets worse with time. Pain may radiate to your ear, jawbone, and neck.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Pain in the affected area when biting or touching it
  • Sensitivity to cold or hot food and liquids
  • Foul taste in the mouth
  • Fever
  • General unwell feeling
  • Difficulty opening the mouth
  • Difficulty swallowing

How to Treat an Oral Abscess:

Oral abscesses do not go away without professional dental intervention. They can spread, leading to more serious conditions such as sinus tracts, cysts, and sepsis. Bacteria from your mouth spreads to other parts of the body. 

Your dentists will assess the severity of your abscess by probing the teeth, taking X-rays, and examining your gums and jawline. Treatments include draining pus from the abscess. This is the only way to remove the infection and prevent further complications. First, a procedure called scaling and root planing will occur to remove any plaque and tartar from above and beneath the gum line. Depending on how severe the abscess is, your dentist may have to perform a root canal or tooth extraction. 

With early detection, treatments for oral abscesses are effective. If you do not get this treated, abscesses can lead to potentially life-threatening infections. 

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Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Mouth

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing is the trifecta of keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. But there is more to maintaining a healthy mouth for your overall health. There is more to keeping your teeth and gums healthy than ditching sticky sweets, soda, and smoking. 

5 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Mouth

1. Regular visits

According to the Canadian Dental Association, 75% of Canadians go to the dentist annually.  It is recommended to bi-annually to keep your teeth and mouth healthy and strong. Regular cleanings and checkups help prevent serious gum and teeth diseases. Your dentist will be able to catch anything before it gets too serious, making it easier to treat. 

2. Diet

Reducing sugar intake is important to maintaining a healthy mouth. Sugar build up can create plaque on your teeth that produces bacteria which breaks down the enamel on your teeth. When the enamel is weak, your teeth are more likely to decay or break. A balanced diet is crucial to your teeth. Nutrients that promote strong bones, healthy gums, and fatty acids that reduce gum disease should be a part of your daily diet. 

3. Stop Smoking

Smoking does not only discolour your teeth. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes eat away at your gums and teeth. Your mouth becomes a breeding grounds for bacteria and infections. This bacteria makes your mouth more susceptible for gum disease and oral cancer which can affect your lips, gums, teeth, and tongue. 

4. Proper Brushing Technique

It’s common knowledge to brush twice a day, but if you aren’t brushing with the proper technique, your teeth may not be getting clean. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line. This allows the bristles to clean under the gum line and between the teeth near the root. Use gentle, circular motions to brush. Brushing aggressively can actually damage your teeth and erode your gum line. 

5. Floss

Flossing promotes healthier teeth and gums. However, it is like brushing. There is a proper technique and doing it the wrong way can damage your gum line. Use about 12-inches of floss and wrap it around your index fingers. Have about 2-3 inches of floss between your fingers. It’s important to use fresh floss between each tooth so you don’t spread food particles. Slide the floss against the tooth to break up food particles and break up plaque without harming the gum line. 

What better time is there to implement a proper dental regime? 

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