Kinds of Tooth Abscesses

A tooth abscess can be a painful dental situation that you have gone through. Or you might be having pain in your mouth that you don’t know what the cause is from. It could be from one of the three types of tooth abscesses that form in your mouth. All three types of abscesses can be treated easily if they are caught in the early stages.

If you have tooth pain, don’t try and guess what it is from and self medicate. Seek the advice of a dentist. The dentist will also be able to identify which type of abscess is in your mouth and prescribe a course of treatment.

Gingival
A gingival abscess is formed around the gums. Gingivitis is the redness and inflammation of the gums from a bacteria buildup in the mouth. Preventing gingivitis is as easy as regular brushing and flossing. When there is no regular brushing or flossing, the gingivitis can develop. Untreated gingivitis can lead to the gingival abscesses forming on the gums. The teeth are not usually affected with a gingival abscess is formed.

Periapical
A periapical abscess is one that is formed around the tooth. The abscess forms in what is called the dental pulp and can then spread and get bigger if it is not treated. The dental pulp is the tissue at the base of the root of the tooth. These abscesses can be painful very quickly because they are near the nerves are roots of the teeth.

Periodontal
A periodontal abscess is one that has formed in the bone or the tissue of the tooth. When the gums pull away from the teeth, as a result of gingivitis and poor dental health, pockets develop. These pockets are where the abscess can form.

In order to get rid of any abscess, you will need to see a dentist. Some treatments include antibiotics, special brushing and flossing and if an abscess is severe, a root canal might be needed or a tooth might need to be pulled. However, a tooth usually can’t be pulled if there is an active infection, or abscess around the roots, so an antibiotic will need to be taken for a few days or weeks leading up to the tooth extraction.

Since there are many different causes of tooth abscesses, there isn’t any one treatment to preventing them. Good dental care, which includes brushing and flossing, is a great start at preventing abscesses. Routine checks with your dentist will also keep your mouth in tip-top shape.