How do teeth become infected?
A dental abscess is a bacterial infection that most often follows an untreated cavity or tooth fracture. Bacteria penetrate the tooth structure and eventually enter the nerve of the tooth. They can then spread beyond the tooth roots, into the gums and jawbone, leading to the destruction of tooth-supporting structures if left untreated. There is no cure or spontaneous cessation of the disease.
Symptoms :
Symptoms of acute dental abscess appear suddenly, with intense, stabbing pain, usually at the root of the tooth, inflamed gums, a bad taste in the mouth, bad breath, increased tooth mobility, and pus draining through the gums. If the infection is extensive, swelling under the skin, discomfort in opening the mouth, fever, fatigue and chills may be experienced.
When latent or dormant, dental abscesses do not cause painful symptoms, and can only be detected with an X-ray.
What tests should I have?
Dental abscesses are diagnosed either during a routine consultation, when they are in their early stages, or during an emergency consultation due to intense pain. An X-ray is necessary to assess the severity of the abscess and any complications.
Complications
If dental abscesses are not treated quickly, they can lead to destruction of the bone surrounding the tooth, eventually resulting in its loss. Infection can spread to neighbouring structures: tongue, throat, sinuses, etc., and by diffusion through the bloodstream, the infection can eventually reach: the heart, lungs, digestive system, kidneys, joints (with great risks for people fitted with hip or knee prostheses, for example).
Did you know that the health of your mouth affects the health of your whole body? When you have a bacterial infection in your mouth, these same bacteria move into your bloodstream, and therefore throughout your body.
Innovative technology
Panoramic or traditional armchair X-rays are fantastic, but they have limitations because they show a 3-dimensional object on a flat 2-dimensional X-ray.
Cone-beam technology allows us to see your dental anatomy and its surroundings as they really exist! We use CBCTs when we identify potential dental fractures, diagnose infections and many other cases where 3D images are useful, such as for dental implant planning.
This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.