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Toothache makes everyone fall right into the dentist’s chair for relief. Although your tooth is a sturdy organ, it has sensitive areas such as the nerves and blood vessels, and if they are triggered, shooting pain goes up and down that tooth. There are many causes for this, and one of those is oral abscess formation. Continue this blog for a comprehensive analysis of tooth abscess, stages, and treatment available.
A gum or tooth abscess is an infection that results in pus collection under the tooth around the gums. When the pus stays for a long time and is not cleared, it turns into an abscess due to bacteria. This infection causes constant toothache.
Tooth or Gum Abscess Stages
A tooth or gum abscess can also form in a chipped or broken tooth, and divided in 4 stages
Enamel or Outermost Layer Decay
Enamel is the protective layer and is the first one affected, and plaque is the main reason for this. Some people may not feel other signs or see symptoms but have a sensitivity or spotted teeth.
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Dentin Layer Decay
If the decay is not stopped and treated on the topmost layer, it dives deeper – moves towards dentin. Once the tooth or gum abscess is in this amongst all stages, the patient will have heightened sensitivity or may even develop a hole in the tooth.
Pulp Decay
The pulp is the most sensitive and deepest tooth layer and responsive to triggers. After the bacteria reaches there, it causes an infection in the nerves that initiates pain. After the infection, the tooth pulp dies, and abscess or pus formation starts.
Formation of Abscess
After hitting the pulp, it moves from the teeth towards the jawbone or gums. These parts begin swelling as a result of inflammation-causing throbbing pain.
Types of Tooth Abscess
The type of abscess depends on where the pus forms.
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Gingival Abscess
It is a rapidly growing painful condition that forms lesions between the gums and teeth because of bacteria. Mostly, gum abscess initiates as an impact after effects like a popcorn shell sticking, toothpick prick, or any other sharp matter.
Periodontal Abscess
A periodontal abscess forms a pus pouch or pocket inside the gums. Similar to a gingival abscess, periodontal looks like a shiny bubble bump on the gums and has sensitivity. Usually, this form grows in periodontal disease patients.
Periapical Abscess
This abscess forms on tooth root. A pus-filled pouch is created due to the bacterial invasion that enters through a crack, cavity, or chip on the tooth. When it surpasses the pulp, it spreads towards the root forming an abscess.
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Tooth Abscess Treatment
The treatment plan depends the severity of the disease:
Abscess Drainage
Draining the pus out is possible if the abscess has not spread. The dentist cuts the pouch and sucks the pus out. Next, the hollow area is cleaned, and antibiotics are given for complete infection removal.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is usually the last resort using local anesthesia. After tooth removal, the socket is covered using gauze and pressurized.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is possible when the bacterial buildup reaches the tooth pulp. The dentist goes deeper into the infected area, plucks the pulp, and drains out the pus. Then, the dentist cleans that site, reshapes the area, seals and covers it using a crown.
Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/tooth-abscess-stages
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-20350901
