A tooth abscess is a small ball of pus surrounding by inflamed tissue. Pus is liquified dead tissue, white blood cells, dead and live bacteria. It's a pale yellow creamy consistency. Patients have pain from the pressure of the growing ball. In the years before WW II and penicillin, it was common for patients to die from a dental infection Today, super bacteria exist that aren't killed by normal antibiotics. It's important to treat an infection as soon as it begins because a smaller one is easier to treat than a large fast growing one. The most common cause is a dead tooth. Bacteria attack the dead tissues inside the tooth and the surrounding tissues. A battle between the body and invading bacteria develops and special white blood cells called POLYs attack.

          The brain is only a few inches away from the teeth. A dental infection can spread to the brain. A tooth abscess can cause uncontrolled rapid swelling that can quickly block off a patient's airway. This will cause immediate suffocation. A chronic dental infection can feed the body with bacteria and cause abnormal blood clotting. A clot created from bacteria can cause a heart attack, stroke or even a premature baby. A festering dental problem can destroy the hopes of a happy healthy long life.

          A tooth can die and cause a tooth abscess in the surrounding dental bone. A dead tooth can cause a gum abscess to grow in the surrounding gums. This is an endo/perio abscess. Likewise, a periodontal (gum) infection can kill a tooth. Antibiotics must be prescribed and the abscess drained. Sometimes a drain is placed to carry the pus out of the body so that it doesn't swell uncontrollably. The patient should sleep, relax, and eat well to strengthen the immune system. If the gums are the cause, the gums should be scaled and root planed as soon as the infection is brought under control. A comprehensive dental exam should be done to identify other areas that can potentially cause problems. If there's a dead tooth, it should have a root canal or be removed to get rid of the dead tissue inside the tooth.

          Some dentists believe that a tooth abscess is sterile. However, there are documented cases where serious and life threatening infections have developed. In light of this fact, all abscesses should be treated seriously with aggressive dental antibiotic therapy to prevent the possibility of death. If you have dental problems and wish to consult with Atlanta Emergency Dentist, Dr. Mark Padolsky make an appointment at 404-874-7428.