Gum abscess
Have you ever had an accumulation of pus in the gum area? This is a dental abscess and is a fairly common infection among patients. If left untreated, the abscess can potentially spread to other areas, causing serious consequences for your overall health. Count on our professional dentist for all your gum and teeth issues. We’ll do our best to restore your stunning smile.
How does your doctor diagnose the condition?
A tooth abscess is diagnosed clinically, i.e., with a normal examination without additional examinations. For a thorough inspection of the teeth and gums, a visit to the dentist is always necessary.
Book OnlineWhat does pus in the gum mean?
Sometimes we can see an inflammation full of pus in our gums. It is known as an abscess in the gum or gingival abscess. It is an infection caused by the accumulation of pus in the periodontal area, that is, between the tooth and the gum. If bacteria build-up, a collection of pus forms and more plaque and tartar develop. This can trigger serious problems in our oral health. When the pus builds up and cannot be drained, the affected area is inflamed to block the inflammation and bacteria. Abscesses form quickly.
- Gingival abscesses are not related to the tooth but develop in the gum tissue.
- Periodontal abscesses: They are more common in people with periodontal disease.
Gum abscess and tooth abscess
We must make a distinction between the two. The gingival abscess occurs only in the gum, while the dental abscess occurs in the tooth itself. However, the gum’s abscess can also affect the tooth.
Problems derived from the gum abscess
As we have explained, an abscess in the gum will cause inflammation of the area. This will cause discomfort in the patient when chewing and biting. Also, pus is a thick, yellowish fluid with a bad smell, so the patient will suffer from bad breath. Other consequences:
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth.
- Bleeding gums.
- Sensitive teeth and gums.
- Fever.
If this infection is not treated in time, it can damage the tooth. Sometimes a tunnel is formed through the bone and skin to allow accumulated pus to drain. This is called the “sinus passage.”
Professional Treatment Of Gingival Abscess
Gum abscesses are a sign of infection. Mouth abscess treatment is crucial if you don’t want the illness to spread to other areas of your mouth or body. If the infection is left untreated, the patient loses a tooth, the infection spreads, or there are catastrophic problems, such as when the germs enter the bloodstream. In order to treat the infection, a dentist typically recommends medication.
1. Antibiotics
Antibiotics kill the bacteria causing the infection. Abscesses happen below the gum line, so other treatments don’t work, and antibiotics are usually the only way to get rid of them.
2. Thorough cleaning
A thorough cleaning of the teeth, gums, and roots is necessary to remove plaque and tartar and help the gums heal. Furthermore, a patient should also maintain good oral hygiene.
3. Draining the Abscess
A dentist may need to drain the pus from the bump ( draining the abscess). This relieves pain, speeds up the affected area’s healing process, and prevents abscess recurrence.
4. Adjusting Dentures
Gingival abscesses occasionally result from irritation from ill-fitting dentures. The dentist adjusts the dentures to prevent further irritation and other oral issues.
What is a gingival abscess?
A gingival abscess is an inflamed pocket of tissue in the gums. Both beneficial and harmful bacteria are typically abundant in your mouth and gums. Plaque and tartar form when harmful bacteria build up on your teeth. This can damage your teeth and cause other dental problems. Unfavorable bacteria can take over, grow, and infect an area of exposed tissue. In response, your body releases white blood cells to combat the infection. They will enlarge the area in an effort to seal it off and fend off the germs. An abscess, a painful, bloated pocket of pus, is what happens as a result.
Causes of gum abscess
What causes the presence of pus in our gums? The abscess in the gum originates due to the accumulation of bacteria in the periodontal tissues. Why do bacteria accumulate? The reasons can be several:
- Poor oral hygiene: It is the main cause of gum abscesses. Improper cleaning can lead to periodontitis or gum disease. This pathology seriously affects periodontal tissues, so the presence of bacteria will affect it to a greater extent.
- Deficient immune system: A weaker patient may also be more prone to abscessed gums, as it will be more difficult for them to fight infections.
- Other infections: Gum abscesses can also develop due to other oral infections.