Tooth Root Infection is a dental condition found commonly among people all over the world. Even people belonging to the younger age groups and those who are seniors in the age category can have this condition due to a range of varied reasons. In medical terms, this condition is known as tooth abscess.
Tooth Abscess: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention And Treatments
It is caused when there is a bacterial infection inside your mouth. This bacterial infection may lead to the buildup of a puss pocket inside, causing the condition. There are two types of Tooth Root Infection according to the position where the infection has been caused.
Irritation, swelling, and pain in the region are some of the common symptoms experienced by those who are suffering from this condition.
In this article, we will be discussing in detail this particular dental condition called Tooth Root Infection or Tooth Abscess, some of its major symptoms, the main causes behind the condition, several advanced methods of diagnosis and tests to detect the issue in individuals, techniques of management and treatment for the infection, and also some of the effective methods you can adopt to prevent the same.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Tooth Root Infection?
✔ Pain
This is one of the major symptoms of Tooth Root Infection. Many people seek consultation when they start to experience unbearable pain around their teeth. This pain can easily spread to the surrounding areas like the jawbone, neck, and ear, which can worsen the situation.
✔ Tooth Sensitivity
This can be easily noticed when you consume something cold or hot. You will have that sudden uncomfortable sensation in your infected tooth when you have these.
✔ Difficulty in chewing
People with the issue of tooth root infections may also find it difficult to chew and bite food items. Exertion of pressure beyond a particular point over a tooth might become quite difficult for the patients.
The Main Causes Of Tooth Root Infections
✔ Bacterial Infection
The major reason behind tooth root infection otherwise known as tooth abscess is nothing but a bacterial infection caused by the tooth. At first, the infection would be found just near the tooth. gradually, the infection would get spread to the internal layers of the same and then finally reach the innermost layer called, pulp.
The pulp is the layer of a tooth and it is a region where blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues can be found together. Hence, when the infection is affected to the region, symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, and throbbing pain can be easily caused to the individual.
How Is A Root Canal Infection Test Or Diagnosed?
✔ Visual Dental Examination
This is done by the dentists when you visit their office with an issue of throbbing toothache or tooth sensitivity or both. They would examine your affected tooth, areas around them, the gums, and so on to diagnose the issue. Apart from that, they would also tap gently on the tooth so that the sensitivity of the tooth toward pressure can also be diagnosed.
✔ Dental X-rays
This is another important method of diagnosis if the dentist suspects a tooth root infection. Apart from confirming the issue of the same, it would also help your dentist to analyze the extent to which the infection has reached inside your tooth.
✔ Dental CT Scan
This is a method of diagnosis that is performed only when your dentist thinks that the infection has spread beyond a point and has even affected the regions of your neck. It would help the dentist to have a 3D visualization of your neck, which can make the treatment more accurate and effective.
Management And Treatment Of Tooth Root Infection
✔ Antibiotics
Antibiotics would be administered in a patient since the infection caused to their tooth is bacterial. However, the sole purpose of having antibiotics is to prevent the spreading of the bacterial infection. This would not help to prevent the infection forever. However, it is quite important to take the next prescribed tooth treatment after consuming the antibiotics.
✔ Incise And Drain
A small incision would be made in that affected region to make the pus drain out. Your dentist may also clean the area with a sterile saline solution. In some cases, they would also place a small piece of rubber in the area to help the left-out pus drain out by taking its time.
✔ Root Canal
A root canal is a dental procedure to treat tooth pulp infection or damage, preventing severe pain and abscess formation. It involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the tooth, and filling and sealing it.
✔ Extraction Of Tooth
Tooth extraction is a dental procedure where a tooth is removed from its socket in the jawbone, often as a last resort when other treatment options are not feasible.
How Do You Prevent A Root Canal From Getting Infected?
✔ Maintain Oral Hygiene
Preventing the main cause of tooth root infection; that is bacterial infection is the only way through which you can prevent this issue. To get it done, it is important to practice good habits of oral hygiene such as brushing twice a day. In some cases, you may be required to brush your teeth after having each meal of the day. Gargling with a good mouthwash right after taking each meal can also do good.
✔ Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking water can also help in flushing out all the toxins from your body. If you have access to water containing fluorides, it is better to have them to increase the street of your teeth, at least occasionally.
✔ Restrict Sugar Intake
If you are addicted to sugary food items, and food items with refined or processed sugar, it is important to have control over the same. Too much sugar intake would make your tooth brittle and more vulnerable to infections.
Conclusion
Now you might have understood everything in detail about the condition called tooth root infection or tooth abscess. This is a common condition and there is nothing wrong with it. If you are careless about maintaining proper oral hygiene, drink less water, or have a sugar tooth, you are highly likely to have this condition.
However, the key is to consult with your dentist even before the condition gets worse. If you are visiting your dentist at the final stage, the chances for you to lose your tooth permanently are comparatively higher. Hence it is important to have routine visits to your dentist without fail.
Find More:- What Is The Cause Of Crooked Teeth? Can Crooked Teeth Be Fixed?
References
- StatPearls. Dental Abscess (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493149/). Accessed 3/27/2023.
- Pak JG, et al. (2011). Pain prevalence and severity before, during, and after root canal treatment: A systematic review. DOI:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21419285 - Prada I, et al. (2019). Influence of microbiology on endodontic failure. Literature review. DOI:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6530959/#__ffn_sectitle
