When tooth enamel is breeched, either as the result of tooth decay or some kind of dental trauma, bacteria infiltrates the tooth and attacks the pulp at its centre. This causes an infection in the heart of the tooth that will slowly kill the tooth and spread to other areas of the mouth, if not treated. The body’s natural defence against the infection is to bombard it with white blood cells. This creates a substance called pus that will then gather around the infection causing a swelling called an abscess.
This swelling can be very painful and make everyday activities like eating and drinking a very unpleasant experience.
Usually the first sign of a tooth abscess is a toothache, although when an infection has killed the root of the tooth, this pain may go away. This can be particularly dangerous as patients may assume the infection has gone because the pain has stopped. In reality the infection may be spreading to other teeth and even into the bloodstream. This is why it is always essential to see a dentist even if you think the pain has gone away.
Other signs that you may be suffering from a tooth abscess are a bitter taste in the mouth or a foul odour coming form the mouth. A general feeling of nausea or being unwell could also be telling signs of an oral infection. The painful toothache is usually a continuous throbbing pain that is heightened when exposed to extremes of temperature, especially when eating.
Swilling salt water or taking paracetemol or other pain remedies can help to control the pain of a tooth abscess, but only by visiting a dentist can you be sure to attack the underlying causes of the infection. Make an appointment with a Central Leeds dentist if you think you may be suffering from a tooth abscess. Delaying may only give the infection time to spread meaning your treatment will be more intense and possibly more expensive. In some extreme circumstances, tooth abscesses may even require admission to hospital and painful oral surgery so early treatment is definitely advised.
Tags: abscess, tooth decay
