Can a Tooth Abscess Heal?
Tooth abscess is a condition that can happen to anyone. If left untreated, it causes pain and discomfort and poses a threat to our health. What exactly is a tooth abscess, why does it occur and how to cure it?
The name "abscess" means a space in the body that is filled with pus and surrounded by tissue. An abscess can appear in virtually any place - if it is located in the periapical area of the tooth, it is called a tooth abscess.
Where does tooth abscess come from?
The causes of its formation can be divided into two groups: infectious and non-infectious. Infectious causes are those that involve the penetration of bacteria into tissues, which then multiply and cause inflammation. To cope with inflammation, the body mobilizes the immune system and its cells. They penetrate the infected area, resulting in an inflammatory infiltrate, which later transforms into an abscess - the purulent content consists of bacterial cells, immune system cells and dead tissue. Bacteria can get into the tooth in many ways:
- Due to untreated caries
- Due to cracks in the enamel
- Due to worn tooth surfaces
- As a result of incorrectly performed dental procedures – such complications are called iatrogenic
Non-infectious causes of tooth abscess may be mechanical, chemical or thermal injuries, inflammation of the dental pulp and autoimmune causes.
Tooth abscess develops gradually, going through several stages over time. Initially, we are dealing with a periapical abscess - its most characteristic symptom is the feeling of the tooth being pushed out of the socket. The patient experiences severe pain, which intensifies when lying down, biting and with changes in temperature. Gum swelling and redness may occur. When the purulent exudate penetrates the alveolar ridge, the most severe phase of inflammation occurs - the periosteum detaches and a subperiosteal abscess occurs. The pain becomes much stronger, and the gum becomes visibly more red and swollen, and fever often appears. If treatment is not implemented, purulent exudate may penetrate under the mucous membrane: the patient stops feeling such intense pain, but the swelling of the gum becomes even greater, and the fever persists. If pus is released into the mouth, the patient will experience an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Will a tooth abscess heal on its own?
To cure a tooth abscess, you need to get rid of the pus remaining in the tissues and remove the inflammation. An abscess may burst on its own - but this does not mean that we should give up visiting the dentist or that it is healed. The surrounding tissues must be carefully cleaned so that the infection cannot spread further. The tooth that caused the abscess must also be treated. Patients are usually also given an antibiotic to help the body fight the infection.
All home remedies for treating tooth abscesses may provide temporary pain relief, but they will not remove the infection. The sooner the patient sees a specialist, the easier and shorter the treatment will be this way you can save yourself unnecessary pain.
Removal of the abscess can be done during root canal treatment, but if the tooth is very damaged, it may be necessary to extract it or resection the root apex. If the abscess is in the subperiosteal or submucosal stage, the doctor will make an incision in the abscess so that the pus can freely escape. Sometimes an additional drain is placed to prevent the secretions from being blocked.
A tooth abscess should definitely not be ignored - if left untreated, it can pose a threat to health and even life! Inflammation can spread to other tissues and organs, including those located further away. This often results in inflammation of tissues, bones and even meninges. Therefore, any suspicion of tooth abscess should be consulted with a specialist as soon as possible.