Complications of Dental decay

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

A late complication of neglected dental decay is a dental abscess. Once the dental pulp is infected it dies and bacteria breed in the root canal of the tooth and then force beyond the end of the root forming a dental abscess.

There is pain, particularly on biting or chewing. The surrounding gum may also be inflamed, tender and swollen. Sometimes the abscess breaks through the gum and discharges in the form of a gum boil. The pain may lessen but it is still important that the tooth is treated.

In extreme cases there may be swelling of the face and fever. It is likely your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to control the infection.

Sometimes treating the abscess means removing the tooth so that the abscess can drain. However, it is often possible to save a tooth by drilling down through it into the abscess to release the pus, and then to treat with a root filling. Antibiotics alone are of no value in treating established abscesses.