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An abscessed tooth is a tooth that is either infected in the pulp of the tooth or an infection that occurs in the gums near the tooth. The pulp of the tooth is located in the center of it and consists of soft nerves. Normally, the pulp is well protected by the enamel of the tooth. Sometimes, however, the tooth gets cracked or develops a severe cavity, allowing bacteria to invade the tooth and infect the pulp.
Abscesses can also from in the gums between the teeth. Usually, this happens because a piece of food gets caught there and attracts bacteria. This type of abscessed tooth is less common than pulp infections. - As the infection grows, pockets of pus will begin to form either at the root of the tooth or in the gums. The pus can take the form of boils, which will burst and drain, temporarily relieving the pain. If the boil bursts internally, however, the infection can spread, which is just one of the reasons why you should see a dentist immediately if you suspect you might have an abscessed tooth. Fever, redness, swelling of the gums and pain when eating are also common symptoms of an abscessed tooth.
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First, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection and probably recommend you take some type of over-the-counter painkiller as well. Your dentist will also take X-rays to see how much damage the tooth has sustained. If the pulp is heavily infected, you may need a root canal. Otherwise, the dentist will numb your tooth and remove the infected pulp by drilling a tiny hole in the top of it, also being sure to clean out the pockets that held the infected pulp. Then, the dentist will put a temporary cap or filling on the tooth. Later, you will get a permanent cap.
If the infection is located between teeth, in the gums, the dentist will simply drain the pus out and clean the area thoroughly. After cleaning, however, if the gap in your gums is very pronounced, your dentist might recommend gum surgery.
