Signs You May Have Developed a Dental Abscess

2222 Dental Blog Signs You May Have Developed a Dental Abscess

An abscess is a cyst that has become infected by bacteria, causing pus and ichor to build up inside of it. Particularly when it comes to your teeth, an abscess can be dangerous not just to your mouth, but to your entire body. Here are some of the signs of a dental abscess that you should be on the lookout for.

Common Abscess Symptoms

Your body will warn you in advance if you are experiencing this kind of problem. In particular, you may experience pain in the abscessed region whenever you bite, chew, or otherwise use the tooth in question, and may become more sensitive to extreme temperatures and flavors, such as hot meals, ice cream, or sour drinks. There may be swelling present, as well as inflammation and redness around the site.

Furthermore, pus is intentionally not pleasant to have in your mouth, as it is the residue of your body fighting to get rid of the disease. You may notice constant bad breath, sudden sensations of foul taste while eating or drinking, or a lingering disgusting taste in your mouth that doesn't go away after brushing and rinsing.

More advanced symptoms can include feeling sick or feverish as your body fights off the infection, having swelling and numbness in your cheeks, and experiencing difficulty opening your mouth fully or swallowing food, particularly in the afflicted region.

Abscesses should not be left untreated, as they can spread throughout your mouth and infect multiple teeth, or even travel through your bone structure and harm other parts of your body, not just your teeth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or just want to make sure that you aren't at risk, please contact us to set up an appointment and discuss your options for treatment and care.

 

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