A tooth abscess forms when a pocket of pus forms due to a bacterial tooth infection. A dental or tooth abscess is your body’s way of defense by forming a pus barrier; it helps stop the infection from spreading to other areas. However, a tooth abscess can be risky for your oral health if you do not treat them immediately. An abscess in tooth or gum forms as a result of tooth decay or a chipped, broken tooth. It does not magically appear out of nowhere, but there are certain tooth abscess stages that occur. Keep reading to know these stages.
Tooth Abscess Stages
A series of dental ignored or undetected dental problems occur in the stages of tooth abscess. Let us brief you on these:
1. Decay
When the plaque that resides on the surface of your teeth releases acid, it can begin enamel erosion. Firstly, enamel erosion happens, which might look like white spots on the surface of your teeth. Then, as the erosion progresses, it starts damaging the dentin layer. Dentin is the layer beneath your tooth enamel. Decay can look like a cavity in your teeth and sensitivity or pain. Lastly, bacteria get to the innermost layer of the tooth. This is where the tooth abscess stages take a more serious turn, as pulp decay and you might experience increased pain.
2. Formation of Tooth Abscess
The following phase in the tooth abscess stages is the actual formation of a pus pocket. As the decay gets to the pulp of your tooth, it can cause damage to the nerve. At this stage, you will have inflammation and swelling in your gum. Moreover, you will notice pimples or bumps on your gums near the infected tooth and slight pain.
3. Sepsis
It is essential that you receive tooth abscess treatment as soon as possible. If you neglect it, it has the possibility to enter and spread to your bloodstream. As a result, you will be at risk of developing a life-threatening infection, sepsis. Therefore, before the abscess tooth stages reach a dangerous level, seek medical attention.
Treatment for Abscessed Tooth
It is possible to treat tooth abscess before it reaches a dangerous stage. Your dentist might do one of these, depending on your tooth’s condition:
- Draining the abscess.
- Root canal treatment
- Extracting the tooth
- Recommending a course of antibiotics.
The Key Takeaway
It is crucial to take care of your oral health by maintaining good hygiene. Regular visits to your dentist, proper brushing, flossing, and eating a balanced diet will go a long way. However, it is possible that you might form a tooth or dental abscess even with all the precautions. We have given you the tooth abscess stages above. Thus, if you notice any of them or even a pimple on your gum, you know what to do: visit your dentist! Or you can Contact Waller Dental General & Cosmetic Dentistry for best advice at 936-372-2673 or leave a mail at info@wallerdental.com. You can also visit our website to schedule an appointment.