Abscess Tooth: What Causes Them

Abscess Tooth: What Causes Them

 In Dental Care

Have you lately noticed a swelling in the gum with a sharp-throbbing pain? That pain may also come with redness, awful taste, fever, or sensitivity. Well, you may be suffering from a condition called abscess tooth.

Abscess tooth originates from a bacterial infection that creates a pocket of pus. People suffering from an abscessed tooth may also experience swelling in the face or neck, resulting in difficulty in breathing or swallowing.

So, what causes an abscessed tooth?

Risk Factors of Tooth Abscess

A tooth comprises a hard outer covering with a sensitive pulp that holds nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. With that in mind, the pulp may suffer bacterial infection due to a deep cavity, cracked teeth, or gum disease.

Consequently, if the infection goes untreated, the bacteria can kill the pulp resulting in an abscess. What’s more, you can get several spots of pus in the same tooth.

Here are some of the risk factors.

  • Dry Mouth: Dry mouth enables plaque, harmful acids, and food remains to stick on the teeth, causing tooth decay. Elderly people or patients taking medication that causes dry mouth are at a greater risk.
  • A Deficient Dental Hygiene: Each day, the tooth surface collects dental plaque, a film of bacteria. Then, plaque produces acid whose corrosive properties damages the protective enamel leading to the formation of cavities. To that end, failing to observe hygiene practices like brushing the teeth daily or flossing increases the risk of abscess teeth.
  • Sugary Foods and Drinks: Sugar enhances acid formation that destroys enamel and attracts bacteria, an enemy of pulp. So, it’s crucial to minimize the intake of sugary foods like candies, soda, and cakes.

Ultimately, if the pus in the abscessed tooth doesn’t drain, the infection may spread into other areas like the jaw, head, or neck. Therefore, seek urgent treatment to avoid life-threatening complications.

At Wytheville Dental Group, we offer preventive, curative, and restorative dental services. Contact us to schedule an appointment today. We’ll help you deal with the abscess tooth condition and prevent reoccurrence in the future.