Why Dental Abscesses Are Excruciating

Joseph Coupal - Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Oyster Point Dentistry - Newport News, VA

Anyone who has ever experienced a toothache knows excruciating pain. Dental abscess might have been growing quickly in your cavity. It is an accumulation of pus that starts on the tooth eventually extending into the bone or gums due to a bacterial infection. It may occur at the tips of tooth roots which are called periapical abscesses or at the surrounding area of the root called periodontal abscesses.

So Why Are Dental Abscesses Painful?

The pus buildup puts a significant pressure to the tooth and bone surface resulting in a persistent, severe oscillating pain that radiates to the jawbone, neck or ear. You may experience difficulty in chewing and swallowing due to swelling of the affected area and sensitivity to pressure that comes from chewing food. In addition, since there's a bacterial invasion taking place in your teeth, inflammation is present as body's way of responding and protecting itself from harmful microorganisms.

How To Treat It?

Painful abscess is definitely a pain you cannot ignore and endure. Although there are OTC medication that can alleviate the pain temporarily, it's best to take immediate dental treatment by consulting your dentist promptly. There are antibiotics that your dentist can prescribe to address the issue. Wait too long and invasive dental procedures such as root canal or even dental extraction could be required to resolve the issue. The key point here is this. The sooner you get your dental issue addressed, the better your outcome is going to be each and every time.

For proper assessment and treatment of your dental problem, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.