You need to get help as soon as possible because abscesses don’t go away on their own. They can sometimes spread inside the soft tissue of the tooth or gums and eventually result in tooth loss or greater infection.
There are three types of dental abscess- the gingival, periodontal, and periapical.
- Gingival abscess (or gum abscess) is caused by bacterial infection from tooth decay, harsh brushing, cracked or broken teeth, or food debris stuck between the teeth.
- Periodontal abscess (also called lateral abscess, or parietal abscess) is a pocket of pus localised within the tissues of the gum.
- Periapical abscess (or tooth abscess) is a collection of pus at the root of the tooth. It is usually caused by an infection that has spread from a tooth to the tissues around it.
Dental abscesses are generally caused by severe tooth decay, gum disease, and food debris stuck between the teeth. People who have dental abscess usually experience pain in the affected area.
They also suffer from bad breath caused by the bacterial infection. Some have red and swollen gums due to the activity of the bacteria inside the mouth.