Most Common Causes for an Abscess

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans visit the dentist for treatment of a dental abscess, also called a tooth abscess. This painful pocket of pus forms on the gumline or at the base of a tooth due to a bacterial infection.

At Advanced Dental Care of Riverdale in the Bronx, New York, Daniel Faiwiszewski, DMD, treats dental abscesses with the most advanced technology and the utmost care. Here, we highlight the most common causes and explain what to do when you experience symptoms.

Tooth decay (cavities)

Cavities occur when plaque — a combination of saliva, food particles, and bacteria — collects on a tooth and hardens into tartar, damaging a tooth’s outer (enamel) and inner (dentin) layers. As the buildup worsens, it can lead to an infection in the soft interior of the tooth (pulp), causing an abscess to form.

Lifestyle factors, such as consuming sugary foods or soda, can speed the process and help harmful bacteria spread.

Gum disease (periodontitis)

Gum disease occurs when your gum tissue becomes infected by harmful oral bacteria. Minor infections cause gingivitis, which can typically be treated with improved oral hygiene. More serious infections can lead to periodontitis, a condition in which the gums pull away from the teeth. This gum recession can create large pockets around the tooth root where bacteria thrive.

Factors like poor oral hygiene, smoking, and diabetes can worsen the infection, making abscesses more likely.

Oral trauma

If you get hit in the mouth from a fall or while playing sports, you may crack or chip a tooth. Injuries like these may seem minor, but they provide an entry point for bacteria to reach the soft pulp inside a tooth, increasing the risk of infection. Promptly repairing the damage can reduce this risk.

Failed dental restorations

Dental fillings and crowns can prevent tooth decay from worsening, but they don’t last forever. Activities like biting and chewing can wear them down, allowing bacteria to enter the pulp and spread. If procedures like a root canal aren’t fully completed or if the tooth isn’t properly sealed, bacteria may remain and cause an abscess to form.

What to do if you think you have a dental abscess

If you have symptoms of a dental abscess, including a severe toothache, swollen gums, or increased sensitivity to hot and cold, contact our office immediately. The sooner you seek treatment for the problem, the better. Depending on your needs, we may recommend antibiotic therapy, draining the abscess, or, in extreme cases, tooth extraction.

Dr. Faiwiszewski has an excellent bedside manner and strives to provide a comfortable, pain-free dental experience. He explains each step of the treatment process in-depth and is happy to answer any questions you have.

To receive treatment for a dental abscess, contact Advanced Dental Care of Riverdale. Call our office at 718-549-6453 or request an appointment online. We want to help you feel better!