Suppuration in the gum region, accompanied by throbbing pain, is a symptom of a serious disease - an abscess of the tooth. Its focus is usually localized in the root part. In the absence of timely treatment, the pathological process can spread to neighboring areas, including bone tissue. Since the disease has an infectious nature, its complication is dangerous to human life.
Causes of pathology
Tooth abscess most often develops against untreated dental diseases. Among them are gingivitis, pulpitis, caries. Among other causes of this disease, doctors note the following:
- mechanical injuries;
- blood-borne infections;
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- boils;
- infection by injection.
These factors can cause a violation of the integrity of tooth enamel and tissues. As a result, pathogenic microflora gain access to the pulp, an inflammatory process occurs. It is accompanied by severe pain. When the pulp dies, the discomfort goes away. If not, the tooth abscess develops, destroying new tissues and spreading far beyond.
Symptoms of the disease
Aching pain acts as the main sign of the onset of the pathological process. It intensifies when you press the tooth. After a while, the gum swells around it, a small seal forms. The patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating. Lymph nodes increase, temperature rises, appetite decreases. A bitter aftertaste and a characteristic putrefactive odor appear in the mouth.
An abscess can open up spontaneously, without the help of doctors. In this case, the painful syndrome disappears, the swelling decreases. Spontaneous opening of the abscess is dangerous to human health. In this case, the likelihood of new exacerbations of the pathological process increases.
Varieties of tooth abscess
When classifying a disease, it is customary to take into account the area of localization of the infectious focus and the nature of the inflammatory process. Therefore, two types of ailment can be identified: periapical and periodontal abscesses of the tooth. Symptoms of each form of the disease are presented below.
A periapical abscess is accompanied by the spread of infection to the soft tissues. In this pathological process, the pulp is damaged through the alveolar bone. Getting cold or hot food on the affected area causes severe pain, reminiscent of a current discharge.
A periodontal abscess is characterized by dull pain, purulent discharge. When pressing on the affected tooth, the discomfort intensifies. The inflammatory process is usually accompanied by malaise. Patients complain of fever, severe chills and bad breath. If you open the abscess before the infection penetrates into the pulp, the tooth can be saved.
Abscess after removing a wisdom tooth
The disease can affect absolutely any part of the jaw, but most often chewing and wisdom teeth suffer from it . The latter are destroyed very quickly. In this case, the development of the disease is preceded by caries and lack of oral hygiene. The wisdom tooth begins to gradually decay, the doctor decides to remove it. After surgery on injured areas of the oral cavity , an abscess of purulent etiology may begin. An unhealed wound is a favorable environment for the life of bacteria. Therefore, in its place, suppuration quickly forms. In the absence of timely treatment, it spreads to neighboring tissues.
Symptoms of an abscess after removing a wisdom tooth can disturb both day and night. Patients usually complain of painful discomfort and fever. The main reason for the development of the disease is considered the patient’s neglect of the doctor’s recommendations. If you start the pathological process, even potent antibiotics will not help. Treatment of an abscess after removing a wisdom tooth consists of two stages. Initially, the doctor must open the suppuration and clear the cavity of the secret. Then the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory therapy.
Antibiotic Abscess Treatment
After diagnosis, the patient is given antibiotic therapy. Its main purpose is to get rid of infection. Also, such therapy is aimed at preserving a natural tooth and preventing complications. What medicines are used to treat tooth abscess?
- Amoxicillin. The drug is intended to treat infections of a bacterial nature. The medication does not kill the pathogenic microflora, but stops its reproduction.
- "Metronidazole." This tool is used to treat infectious processes caused by anaerobic bacteria.
- Clindamycin. The drug is prescribed for patients allergic to antibiotics of the penicillin group. It inhibits the growth of bacteria, thereby eliminating the infection.
- "Penicillin". This medication is most often prescribed to patients with a diagnosis of “tooth abscess”. Antibiotics of similar pharmacological action are used in conjunction with beta-lactamase inhibitors.
The above medicines should be taken only as directed by a doctor. If their use is not justified, the infection begins to spread rapidly. To save a tooth is very problematic. Therefore, patients have to resort to surgical intervention.
Removal of a tooth after an abscess
Surgical intervention is primarily aimed at removing the focus of inflammation. For this, a drainage procedure is prescribed, after which fillings are performed or the crown is restored. The essence of drainage is that through a drilled tooth, the dentist cleans the pus and disinfects the cavity with a special solution. Running cases are often impossible to cure with this procedure. Therefore, therapy begins with tooth extraction, after which drainage is carried out through the alveolus.
If there is so much pus that it cannot be cleaned at a time, a small incision is made in the damaged area and drainage is established. Through it, the contents of inflammation gradually come out. For better wound healing, patients are prescribed a course of physiotherapy or washing.
Possible complications
Like any other infectious ailments, a tooth abscess can cause unpleasant complications. If the patient ignores the symptoms and does not seek the help of a doctor, the root of the affected molar begins to die off gradually. Discomfort and pain can subside, but pathogenic microorganisms continue to develop, spreading to neighboring tissues and the jawbone. Infection, together with blood flow, quickly spreads throughout the body, provoking complications from important systems of internal organs. The most dangerous consequence is an abscess of the brain and meningitis.
Disease Prevention Activities
Tooth abscess most often develops against untreated caries. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to timely treat the pathology of the dentition, regularly visit a dentist to identify them. On the other hand, no one has repealed the basic rules for oral care. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day and using a special rinse aid. To avoid infection in the oral cavity after therapy, you should contact only a trusted medical institution. Be healthy!