{"id":3123,"date":"2019-01-22T08:49:17","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T08:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3123"},"modified":"2021-05-24T19:05:22","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T19:05:22","slug":"10-uncomfortable-tooth-abscess-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-uncomfortable-tooth-abscess-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Uncomfortable Tooth Abscess Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A tooth abscess may start as a cavity or tooth decay and develop into an infection that can spread to the gums and even the jaw, neck and brain. Proper dental care, including brushing and flossing daily and going to annual cleanings and checkups at the dental office can prevent an abscess from developing in the first place. The problem begins at the center of the tooth chamber and reaches the root and then to other areas of the mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the tooth abscess can begin in the gum around the tooth and has the telltale sign of swollen, red gums or small sores on the gum. The symptoms of a tooth abscess can be subtle or dramatic, but they should be addressed right away before the infection becomes dangerous. An abscess can develop from a cavity, a poorly placed dental crown or some trauma to the tooth caused by persistent grinding.
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1. Toothache<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first symptoms of a tooth abscess is a toothache<\/a>, although sometimes there can be an abscess without pain. It may be easy to dismiss this pain as a simple toothache, but it can be a sign of a deeper problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may have had previous problems with this particular tooth or there may be no warning. The pain may be more pronounced when chewing or when the tooth is exposed to very hot or cold foods. In addition, there may be a throbbing sensation or redness in the affected area. It is a good idea to see a dentist with a toothache that persists for days without explanation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dentist can find the abscess and suggest ways to treat it. The pain can also have a radiating effect and can be felt in the jaw and the neck in addition to the specific area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Sores<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A tooth abscess is a bacterial infection starting at the root of the tooth and often affects the gums. These sores can develop because a tooth abscess often begins with tooth decay or a cavity that expands and fills the entire pulp chamber. As with any other infection, pus develops as white blood cells fight the microbes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pus swells up under the skin, and in this case, the gum, and develops into a sore<\/a>. You may see white or pink pimple-like sores develop on the gum above the tooth in the form of an abscess. There may or may not be a pain when this sore is touched. If the sore pops, it could leak unpleasant tasting and smelling discharge throughout the mouth. It is important to pay attention to these sores before they pop and take steps to avoid a rupture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Excessive Sensitivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you suddenly have tooth pain when eating ice cream or drinking a hot beverage this could be a sign of a general weakening of the teeth or it could be a symptom of a dental abscess. This sensitivity can develop because a layer of the tooth called dentin may have been affected by decay or other problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dentin is the layer that enables the tooth to withstand extremes of temperature in food. It is a good idea to avoid consuming food that will intensify the pain from a tooth abscess<\/a>. Different people will have different sensitivities, but these usually include ice cream, smoothies, sorbet, and hot beverages and broths. It is also a good idea to avoid very sugary or acidic foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes soft drinks and foods that can create a PH imbalance that can intensify the pain. In addition, since sugary foods can promote tooth decay, they should be limited in any case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many infections if left untreated or if allowed to get out of control can lead to fever<\/a>. An elevated body temperature indicates that the body is battling microbes with white blood cells. In many cases, a low-grade fever can be tolerated without cause for alarm, but it should be watched. If a fever rises too high, it can be a sign of danger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a fever, you should seek medical attention immediately, because the infection could spread to the neck or the brain and develop into sepsis, which could be deadly. In addition, complications can develop, such as meningitis which may require hospitalization and long recovery time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one reason why a dental abscess requires immediate attention by a dentist and the abscess should be drained of pus before a fever develops. Since infections can spread readily from the jaw to the brain, a fever is a reason to be concerned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Swelling in Jaw<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you feel a swelling <\/a>in your jaw and pain radiating from your tooth to the jaw area, you may have a tooth abscess. Obviously, simple jaw pain doesn\u2019t necessarily point to a tooth problem, but if you have other symptoms, such as a toothache or a growth on your gums, the jaw pain may be connected to the issue with your tooth and maybe a serious sign of a growing infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a tooth abscess is left untreated, the infection may spread to the neck, the jaw, and even the brain. You also may have swollen lymph nodes which is a classic sign of infection. An abscess should be treated by a dentist before it reaches this point, but once it involves jaw pain, it is essential to get urgent medical treatment. The pain can be sharp and intermittent or a gradual, radiating pain from the tooth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Red, Swollen Gums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first signs of a tooth abscess is red, swollen gums. The swelling could be the initial phase of the development of a sore which is a visible sign of the tooth abscess and could be a sign that the gum is slowly filling with pus<\/a>. As with other infections, pus is a buildup of white blood cells as the body is fighting off an infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to redness, the gums may be painful and sensitive. They may bleed when you try to brush or floss. It may be hard to notice the redness unless you lift the lip and notice it or it may be obvious and quite red and irritated. Red, swollen gums may be a sign of other things, such as gingivitis. If you notice tooth pain as well and the development of sores, you may suspect a tooth abscess. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Bad Tasting Discharge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you sense a bad-tasting and foul-smelling liquid in your mouth, it could be a tooth abscess erupting. Chances are, you would have seen other signs before this happens, such as red and swelling gums and the growth of an abscess in the form of a pus-filled sore on your gums. This should require a trip to a dentist who can safely drain the abscess through a special procedure rather than allowing it to burst in your mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although accidentally swallowing the pus from a burst abscess may not be harmful, the fact that your sore has developed to such an extent may be concerning, and your medical practitioner may prescribe antibiotics <\/a>to deal with the infection before it spreads further. It is always better for a dentist to drain the abscess rather than allowing it to burst on its own. Do not squeeze the abscess if it has not yet burst. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Discolored Tooth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you realize you have a tooth abscess, you may notice a discoloration of one tooth compared to the surrounding teeth. In addition to discoloration, the tooth may be painful, especially when exposed to extremely hot or cold foods. The discoloration is caused by necrotic pulp that develops on the tooth layer. A tooth abscess often develops in the center of the tooth and spreads out to the gums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dentist can help you deal with the infection of the center of your tooth before it spreads. This may require a root canal, which requires cleaning and containing the infection <\/a>at the center of your tooth. This procedure is often necessary because it is harder for your body to fight an infection in the middle of your tooth than it is in the gums. However, letting the infection go until it spreads to your gums can lead to other dangers. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Swollen Lymph Nodes
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Lymph is the clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes<\/a> filter the fluid, removing any toxins and pushing them out of the body through the glands into the skin. Swollen lymph glands occur when the lymph fluid is clearing a heavy toxin load as a response to viral or bacterial infection.
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The lymph nodes also swell in response to the growth of cancerous tumors as well. Think of the lymph nodes as your body\u2019s checkpoint, searching for invading cells and stomping them out before they cause severe damage to the body.
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When abscesses rupture, they release pus that infects the bloodstream. As a result, the lymph nodes go into overdrive as they try to clear the discharge and prevent infection. However, a ruptured abscess may be overwhelming for the lymph nodes, causing them to swell and become sensitive to touch. If you notice swelling in your armpits, under your jaw, on the sides of your groin or either side of the neck, your tooth abscess may have ruptured causing the swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Headache
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Headache <\/a>is one of the more common symptoms of pain associated with a tooth abscess. The pressure around the affected area may start to induce toothache pain that spreads to the brain, bringing on the symptoms of a headache.
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Systemic inflammation is the culprit responsible for the development of this painful symptom. If a toothache is left untreated, the inflammation spreads throughout the surrounding tissues, eventually resulting in a headache. There are various types of headaches associated with inflammation. However, a tension headache is the most common headache class associated with a tooth abscess.
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Tension headaches, also known as migraines, are a painful condition that requires treatment with anti-inflammatory and painkiller medications. In some cases, symptoms may become so severe that the affected individual develops sensitivity to light and other external factors, such as loud noise. These individuals may also gain limited relief from the use of medication to reduce the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Pain When Lying down
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People with a toothache from the development of an abscess may find that the pain intensifies when lying down. This symptom occurs due to changes in blood pressure<\/a>. When we are standing, it takes considerable effort to pump blood around the top half of the body. The heart manages to push enough oxygenated blood into the brain to maintain cognitive processes, such as thinking.
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When you\u2019re standing, the abscess receives less blood than when you\u2019re lying down. As a result, people with a tooth abscess may notice an increase in pain symptoms when they lie down to rest. The heart finds it easier to push blood around when you\u2019re lying flat on your bed, resulting in more blood reaching the mouth, and an increase in the throbbing sensation produced by an abscess.
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If you can\u2019t get to the dentist, then consider taking painkillers 30 to 40-minutes before retiring to bed in the evening. The painkillers should take effect before you go to bed, allowing you to get some sleep before your dentist appointment in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Sepsis
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If left untreated, a tooth abscess may turn nasty, resulting in rupture. After rupturing, it leaks pus into the mouth and surrounding tissues. This extremely toxic substance can make you incredibly sick.
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Sepsis <\/a>is a potentially life-threatening condition where the body experiences a disruption in the production of biochemicals that fight off infection and disease. Sepsis occurs when there is an imbalance in these chemicals, leading to systemic damage in multiple organs throughout the body.
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If left untreated, sepsis can develop into septic shock, where blood pressure drops dramatically, exposing the cardiovascular system to congestive heart failure. Sepsis may occur when the tooth abscess ruptures, causing the body to deal with a flood of pus.
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People with sepsis notice the first signs of the disorder when their blood pressure increases. Respiratory rate climbs and the person may start to sweat mildly. If septic shock starts to develop, affected individuals begin to notice changes in circulation. The way the body manages energy becomes abnormal, resulting in feelings of fatigue and tiredness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Disturbed Sleep
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Individuals with a tooth abscess often experience symptoms of toothache or headache that keep them from getting the rest they need at night. It\u2019s challenging to lie down, close your eyes, and drift off into dreamland when it feels like a construction crew is drilling into the teeth in your mouth.
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As a result of the pain <\/a>symptoms, many people with tooth abscesses spend their nights tossing and turning. The following morning, the affected individual may feel fatigued and tired due to their inability to get the necessary sleep to clear the toxins from the neural pathways in the brain. Other symptoms associated with not getting enough sleep include disorientation, brain fog, forgetfulness and mood swings.
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If you\u2019re suffering from pain symptoms related to your tooth abscess, the best idea is to visit your dentist as soon as possible to remove the abscess. However, if you can\u2019t get an appointment, you may need to visit your doctor for pain management medication to help you get to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Risk Factors for Tooth Abscess
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Prevention is the best strategy for dealing with a tooth abscess. Typically, individuals who develop this condition have poor oral hygiene<\/a>. Our mouth constantly deals with incoming bacteria and pathogens we consume in our day to day lives. Food, air, and water all contain trace amounts of bacteria and harmful toxins that degrade your oral health.
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While dentists recommend that we brush our teeth after every meal, sometimes we don\u2019t have our toothbrush on us. In such a case, chew on some dentist-approved gum to remove food particles from your teeth. After drinking sugar soda or eating candy, swirl a little water in your mouth to dissolve the sugar and clean your teeth.
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Remember to floss at least once a day, and use an antiseptic mouthwash to rinse your teeth and mouth clean.
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Individuals with gum disease are also at high risk of developing abscesses. Individuals living with this condition must adhere to the medication and maintenance protocols laid out by their dentist, to avoid the development of tooth and gum abscesses.
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