That swelling on your gum could be a gum abscess!

By: Admin | | Updated: August 6, 2013 12:21 pm

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We often overlook gum issues, without realising that they can lead to severe complications if left untreated. When there’s an infection or trauma inside your mouth, bacteria may enter your gums and cause a painful swelling filled with pus. When the pus fails to drain out, the swelling increases and becomes more painful – this is called an abscess. Also Read - Can cavities kill you? Hidden dental dangers that may threaten your whole body

Mostly, poor oral hygiene is the primary culprit along with sugary or starchy foods and drinks which causes bacterial growth. Also health conditions like diabetes, which weaken your immune system, will make the condition worse. Also Read - Women and dental health: Looking after your teeth through the years

Here are some of the common kinds of abscesses related to the teeth:

Gingival abscess occurs when the bacteria infiltrate deep inside gums due to some form of injury (mostly caused due sharp pieces of food or toothbrush bristles) that results in pus discharge;
Periodontal abscess is formed in advanced stages of gum disease (periodontitis) due to infection of the deeper structures of the teeth;
Periapical abscess occurs at the tip of the root of the tooth due to an infection of the tooth pulp (the innermost part of the tooth containing blood vessels and nerves) as a result of untreated tooth decay.

The pain could be unbearable

Usually, the abscess appears as a red swelling with a shiny surface that is painful to touch. It causes continuous throbbing and a pulsating type of pain which can at times make it difficult for you to identify the tooth is causing distress. You will also feel extreme pain when pressure or warmth is applied on the affected tooth and it may make matters worse by radiating to your jawbone, ear and neck.

The abscess won’t resolve on its own

Many people believe that such dental abscesses take care of themselves if left untreated. This is a myth and one needs to visit a dentist to get it treated. OTC painkillers may provide some temporary relief but the only permanent solution is to eliminate the infection-causing bacteria. This is achieved by the dentist making a cut in the area and draining out the pus. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to fight the residual infection. Sometimes, a minor procedure called root planing may be performed to get rid of infection from the outermost layer of the root.

If untreated, it could become fatal

When an abscess is left untreated, the bacterial infection can spread and cause complications. An untreated tooth abscess can develop into a dental cyst (fluid-filled cavity) at the bottom of the root of your tooth which can be a precursor to the formation of a tumour at times. Sometimes, small air-filled cavities inside your skull called sinuses may become infected through the abscess and cause sinusitis.

Another potentially fatal condition is called Ludwig’s angina that can be caused by the spread of bacteria from the abscess into the floor of the mouth. It can cause swelling and intense pain under the tongue and in the neck. You may also find it hard to breathe if it becomes more severe. Very rarely, the infection from the abscess can spread to a large vein at the base of the brain (cavernous sinus) and form a blood clot. Called cavernous sinus thrombosis, this condition can be fatal. Summing it up, an abscess is a serious condition and it shouldn’t be ignored, lest it lead to more serious problems.

The post ‘That swelling on your gum could be a gum abscess!’ appeared first on Colgate Total Blog.

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Published : May 22, 2013 8:45 am | Updated:August 6, 2013 12:21 pm

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