Tooth Abscess Pain


   Tooth abscess is painful bacterial infection which forms puss at the root of the tooth or between gum and tooth. Infection may cause intense pain when tissue becomes inflamed or due to pressure building within puss-sac. 

Causes :

 Tooth abscess begins as tooth infection. Poor oral hygiene and weak immune system leads to infection and tooth decay.  Decaying tooth and impacted wisdom tooth are among common causes. Injured, broken, cracked or fractured tooth, deep cavity and gum disease can also cause painful abscess. Tooth can get infected after dental procedures like extractions and implants. Moreover, previously performed dental procedures can also get tooth infected as they get older they fail and starts to leak. Infection may spread to bones supporting the tooth. 

Symptoms :

 Persistent throbbing pain which is moderate at first and gradually gets intense is common symptom of tooth abscess. Agonizing toothache with shooting pain makes one want to jump off a cliff. One may also experience :

  • Fever and chills leading to general fatigue and even headache

  • Tooth becomes painful when touches food or opposing teeth

  • Sensitivity to touch, hot and cold temperatures

  • Unpleasant taste and bad breath

  • Gums might become red and puffy with swelling

  • Difficulty in biting and opening mouth

  • Swollen lymph nodes under jaw or in neck

  Treatment : 

 Tooth abscess needs help and should be looked at by a dentist as soon as possible.  Root canal therapy or extraction is usually recommended to clear the infection. 

Recommended over the counter painkillers include :

  •       Ibuprofen( not for Asthma and Ulcer patients) 

  •       Paracetamol

  •       Aspirin( not for pregnant or breast feeding patient :: & :: not for children under 16 ).

 

Antibiotics given to help fight the infection include :

  •      Amoxicillin( preferred antibiotic )

  •      Clindamycin( alternative antibiotic )

  •      Metronidazole

  •      Penicillin

 Antibiotics should never be seen as a substitute for dentist treatment or as excuse for postponing dentist treatment. Not visiting your dentist can have serious consequences.