When to Treat Gum Abscesses

The Right Time to Receive Treatment for Gum Abscesses

The majority of periodontal or gum diseases are painless and do not require urgent dental care. With that being said, a gum abscess is an exception to the rule – the pain associated with a gum abscess makes seeking treatment a more pressing need, helping patients get relief and healing of their irritation more quickly. In addition to pain, some other indicators of a gum abscess include redness, swelling, and bleeding as well as increased pain while chewing food.

The type of gum abscess present in the mouth determines its administered treatment. Some of the most common abscess types include:

Periodontal Abscess : A periodontal abscess is a more advanced form of this condition and is usually linked to a tooth that already has a degree of bone loss and periodontal pockets. Often times, this type of abscess is caused by a foreign object, such as food, being lodged into the pocket around the tooth. As the gum issue worsens, a periodontal abscess can develop even after a proper dental cleaning – in these cases, bacteria overgrow despite the treatment that has been given.

Gingival Abscess : A gingival abscess is contained to the area of the gum line closest to the “neck” area of the tooth. These types of abscesses are usually not caused by teeth with preexisting conditions. In these cases, the foreign object gets lodged into the gum area around the tooth that is being affected.

When patients are complaining of symptoms that align with a gum abscess, dental professionals generally take an x-ray of the affected area, and using a dental probe, check the gums for bleeding, pockets of puss, and swelling. Dentists also test the nerve of the tooth to ensure the abscess has not developed due to a need for a root canal or because an existing root canal has become infected again. Fractures and tooth loss could also be a cause for abscesses.

Gum Abscess Treatment

It is important to treat gum abscesses as soon as possible, not only to control the symptoms but also to help prevent any additional dental complications later on. Treatment for a gum abscess generally includes draining the area from the outside of the gum or through the gum pocket, and then the tooth root needs to be cleaned to remove tartar, food, bacteria, and other foreign materials. Depending on the severity of the abscess, antibiotics may be prescribed.

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