A tooth that becomes infected is called an abscessed tooth. It is often very painful, and is accompanied by pus and swelling. Tooth abscesses can be dangerous if not treated, because the infection may spread throughout your body. You will want to identify and take care of an abscessed tooth as soon as you can, not only because of the associated risks but also due to the pain. Let’s learn more about this problem so you’ll be prepared if this happens to you.

Symptoms
An abscess occurs when the pulp, or center, of your tooth gets infected. It fills with pus, which is made up of white blood cells, bacteria, and dead tissue. This infection and the accompanying swelling around your tooth causes a very painful toothache, usually described as throbbing coupled with intermittent sharp pains. The pain is often so severe that you can’t even identify which tooth is causing the problem, because the pain resonates throughout your whole mouth. Some other common symptoms are fever, pain when biting or chewing, sensitivity to heat or cold, bitter taste in your mouth, foul smell to your breath, and red swollen gums.

Causes
Tooth decay or trauma, like a broken tooth, can cause an abscess. It you have a cavity, bacteria may enter the center of your tooth and form an abscess. Advanced gum disease is another cause of tooth abscesses.

Treatment
Your dentist will perform some simple tests like tapping your teeth to diagnose an abscess. X-rays are also sometimes helpful. If an abscess is found, your dentist will try to eliminate the infection, save your tooth, and avoid complications. The abscess may require draining, which is often achieved with a root canal. Sometimes extraction is necessary. Antibiotics are prescribed to fight the infection, as well as pain medication to make you more comfortable. The main thing to remember is that treatment is necessary no matter what, because an untreated abscess can lead to a life-threatening infection in your blood.