Gum abscess: symptoms, causes and treatment

Gum abscess, or periodontal abscess, is an inflammation that causes the formation of a pocket in the gums, causing symptoms such as swelling and pain in the region, sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks, bad breath, fever and a bad taste in the mouth.

Gum abscess can be caused by the presence of a foreign object between the tooth and gums or by the accumulation of bacteria in the gums due to poor oral hygiene. Additionally, health conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV infection or uncontrolled diabetes, can also increase the risk of gum abscess.

If you suspect a gum abscess, it is recommended to consult a dentist to start treatment quickly and avoid complications, such as tooth loss or even septicemia, which is exaggerated inflammation of the body that alters the functioning of the organs, causing fever, decreased blood pressure, rapid breathing and mental confusion. Understand better about septicemia.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of gum abscess are:

• Gum swelling;
• Pain in the gums and teeth, which increases when chewing;
• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks;
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or jaw;
• Fever;
• Bad being;
• Loose tooth.

Furthermore, when the abscess in the gum ruptures, eliminating pus, it can cause a bad smell and taste in the mouth, and pain relief.

Difference between gum and tooth abscess

Tooth abscess, also called periapical abscess, is an infection that can occur due to an untreated cavity, injury or poorly performed dental treatment, which allows bacteria to enter the root and inner part of the tooth, and the surrounding gums. of the tooth. Learn more about tooth abscess.

Gum abscess, technically called periodontal abscess, is a bacterial infection that appears in the gums, without affecting the teeth, and may arise due to the accumulation of bacteria due to poor hygiene or health conditions that weaken the immune system, such as infection by HIV, uncontrolled diabetes or cancer, for example.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of gum abscess must be made by the dentist by evaluating the signs and symptoms presented and the person’s health history.

In addition, the dentist may also request some tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as a periapical x-ray or panoramic X-ray, an exam that shows all the bones in the mouth region and their joints. Find out what a panoramic X-ray is used for and how it is done.

Possible causes

Possible causes of tooth abscess are the presence of a foreign object between the tooth and the gums, the accumulation of bacteria in the gums due to poor oral hygiene, periodontitis or bacterial superinfection due to the use of antibiotics.

Furthermore, some factors that also favor the emergence of tooth abscess include health conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV infection, diabetes or cancer, for example.

What is the treatment like?

Treatment of gum abscess must be indicated by the dentist and may include drainage, the use of antibiotics or tooth extraction.

1. Drainage

Draining the abscess must be done by the dentist, where a small cut and scrape is made in the gums to drain the pus, relieving symptoms and reducing the risk of increased infection.

After drainage, the dentist recommends rinsing your mouth with warm water and salt, and drinking plenty of fluids to reduce swelling.

2. Medications

In people with a weakened immune system or generalized infections, the dentist may recommend the use of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, combined with clavulanic acid, or clindamycin.

3. Tooth extraction

Tooth extraction is recommended by the dentist in cases of periodontal disease or damage caused to the tooth by an abscess in the gums.

Is gum abscess serious?

When left untreated, gum abscess is serious and can destroy the bones of the tooth, causing tooth loss. Furthermore, untreated periodontal abscess can spread infection, causing swelling of the head and neck, inflammation of the heart and even septicemia.

How to prevent gum abscess

Some tips to prevent gum abscess are:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day and pass the brush bristles between your teeth and gums. See how to brush your teeth correctly;
• If you have diabetes, control your blood glucose levels well;
• Use dental floss daily;
• Avoid smoking;
• Change your toothbrush every 3 months.

In addition, it is also important to go to dentist appointments twice a year, so that a general assessment of oral health can be carried out and teeth cleaned, if necessary.