Ouch! Dental Abscess Causes By Bruce Wilderman on May 28, 2015

At Artistic Expressions Dentistry, we believe that a beautiful smile is built upon a sound foundation of healthy teeth and gums. Without that foundation, there isn’t a cosmetic dentistry treatment in existence that can compensate for poor oral health. For this reason, Dr. Bruce Wilderman offers a comprehensive range of restorative dentistry procedures to complement his renowned suite of smile makeover treatments.

Among the most common oral health problems experienced by patients who do not visit the dentist regularly are dental abscesses. Dr. Wilderman offers a variety of treatments that can help to rid the mouth of dental abscesses and return it to a healthy, clean, aesthetically pleasing state. He also provides patients with the education they need to avoid developing further dental abscesses going forward, discussing dental abscess causes with them at his Philadelphia practice.

If you are suffering from a dental abscess, whatever the cause, Dr. Wilderman can help you restore health, beauty, and function to your mouth, too. Simply schedule your initial consultation with our esteemed dentist today and take that first step toward the radiant, healthy smile you deserve.

What is a dental abscess?

A dental abscess refers to an accumulation of pus that gathers within the teeth or the gums. The abscess usually begins with a bacterial infection, the very same bacteria that are responsible for plaque and tartar. An abscess can occur in the gum tissue, the bone tissue that supports the tooth, or the tooth itself.

Typical symptoms of a dental abscess include pain, swelling, tenderness, inflammation, and discoloration at the site of the abscess, in addition to pus drainage.

What causes dental abscesses to form?

As stated above, the underlying cause of the vast majority of dental abscesses is the accumulation of bacteria. However, this can be caused by:

Poor oral hygiene: Proper brushing and flossing techniques, employed at least twice a day, can go a long way toward ridding the mouth of bacteria and plaque. However, there are certain areas of the mouth where bacteria can hide that can only be accessed by dental professionals. If you are not visiting our practice at least twice a year for professional cleanings and oral examinations as recommended by the American Dental Association, you have got bacteria, plaque, and tartar that are going untreated.
Tooth infections: Some people fail to visit a dentist when their teeth are hurting, believing that when the pain has passed, the worst is over. Unfortunately, this merely means that the tooth has died. The infection will continue to spread, usually leading to an abscess, followed by further destruction of delicate oral tissues.
Periodontal disease: In the advanced stages of periodontal disease, periodontitis, the gums can begin to separate from the tooth. Within the resulting periodontal pockets, bacteria can find safe haven, leading to the eventual creation of a periodontal abscess.

While abscesses may drain on their own, they will never fully heal without professional intervention. Dr. Wilderman can diagnose the cause of your abscess, disinfect it, and make sure that it does not recur, sending you home with a clean bill of oral health.