
Dental abscesses are a build-up of pus inside your teeth or gums. They can become quite painful if left untreated. In this post, we’ll look at abscesses in more detail, including where they come from, their effects on the body and how they’re treated.
An abscess is basically a collection of pus, which is a white, smelly liquid made up of dead cells. It forms when the body is fighting an infection. It’s not only made up of dead bacterial cells but also your own white blood cells.
When an abscess occurs inside your gums, jaw, or teeth, it’s referred to as a dental abscess.
A dental abscess is caused by an infection in your mouth, teeth or gums. Your mouth is full of bacteria, which is normal because most bacteria aren’t harmful. However, when the bad bacteria gain the upper hand over the good bacteria, they cause an infection, which in turn can lead to an abscess. For this reason, it’s important to keep your teeth clean by brushing twice a day.
If you think you have an abscess, compare your symptoms to the list below and see if there are any you recognise:
If you think you’re suffering from an abscess, then do see your dentist as soon as possible. This is because if left untreated, abscesses can continue to worsen. The infection could spread and cause you to feel unwell. So, seeking a dental professional as soon as possible is best.
But if your dentist is unavailable, try another one – you can call 111 to speak to someone who can give you a list of dental clinics in your area, if necessary. While you wait for the appointment, you can take ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the pain.
But if your pain is severe or if you’re having serious symptoms, then go to your local hospital’s A&E department. They should see you quickly and ensure your abscess is resolved.
Finally, don’t make an appointment with your GP as they won’t be able to do much – a dental professional is needed to cure an abscess, not a general doctor.
The best way to reduce your likelihood of getting an abscess is to look after your teeth and gums. This includes:
If you’d like to see one of our dentists for a dental check-up, don’t hesitate to book an appointment by speaking with our lovely reception team. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
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“I’m so happy I’ve been given the all-clear after being fitted with dental implants. Thank you, Dr Hussein Asaria, for performing the surgery with minimal...”
“I was a nervous patient and was worried about having my tooth taken out. Dr Femi and his nurse were so amazing. I had a...”
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