When it comes to dental hygiene, most of us have the basic routines down. We brush and floss regularly. We limit our intake of sugary treats (or at least try to!). We see our dentist every six months and generally do our best to prevent getting cavities.
Unfortunately, despite these preventative measures, there are other conditions that can affect our dental health. One of the most common is having an abscessed tooth.
What exactly is an abscessed tooth? An abscessed tooth is a specific type of infection in a tooth that spreads to the tip of the root or around the root itself. The pain can range from annoying to intense and eventually impact your comfort and wellbeing. This is not your simple toothache.
To help you better understand, here are some signs and symptoms of an abscessed tooth.
- The tooth has recently become darker than your other surrounding teeth
- Eating has become painful and pressing on the tooth is unbearable
- Your gum has a swelling on it that has filled with pus and may very well look like a pimple, but is indeed being caused by your abscessed tooth
- Bad odor or taste in your mouth not caused by the garlic bagel you had for breakfast
- Your face, jaw, or surrounding lymph nodes have started to swell, which may even be causing jaw pain
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to be treated as soon as possible. The sooner this tooth infection is cleared, the happier you’ll feel and the healthier your mouth will be.
