Gum Abscess – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

When it comes to oral health, teeth steal the spotlight. However, the support that the gums provide is essential. A gum abscess endangers your smile, comfort, and oral health. Recognizing this condition and knowing what to do if you encounter it can safeguard your grin and health.

What Are the Symptoms of a Gum Abscess?

The primary symptom of a gum abscess is pain. An abscess is generally a painful swelling of the gum. Depending on its location, you may also experience discomfort when you bite down. Other common signs of an abscess include the following:

• Bad breath
• Bad taste or pus discharge
• Wobbly or tender teeth
• Bleeding, sore, or receding gums
• Increased temperature

What Causes a Gum Abscess?

An abscess on your gums occurs when bacteria find their way into a pocket of tissue. The immune system responds and the resulting battle forms a swollen bubble of pus. Dentists generally treat two kinds of gum abscesses: gingival and periodontal.

Gingival Abscess

A gingival abscess is limited to the gums. This type of abscess often happens when a jagged piece of food pierces the gum tissue. This results in a visible bubble and ensuing pain.

Periodontal Abscess

A periodontal abscess develops in the gums alongside a tooth. It can occur if food gets stuck between the teeth or because of an injury to your mouth. When this happens, a vulnerability is created in the gum area.

How Are Gum Abscesses Treated?

Home remedies like taking over-the-counter pain medications or rinsing with salt water can be used to manage pain. However, these are just stopgap measures. If you suspect you have an abscess, please seek professional care immediately. A dentist should manage the pocket of infection on the gum to prevent harm from spreading.

Abscessed gums treatment involves draining the abscess and clearing the infection and pus. Antibiotics will often be prescribed to help combat the infection. Depending on the location of the abscess, the dentist may also order X-rays to check for damage to surrounding gums and teeth. If necessary, dental work may be recommended for repairs or restorations.

Can Gum Abscesses Be Prevented?

It is possible that abscessed gums can occur because of something you ate that gets stuck between your teeth and gums. However, gum abscesses occur more often when people have poor oral hygiene. If you’d like to prevent gum abscesses, developing healthy oral care habits is an excellent strategy. Make it a point to brush your teeth and use the right flossing tools and techniques at least twice daily. Don’t forget to floss. In addition, keep your scheduled appointments for routine checkups with your dentists.

Whether you’re searching for abscessed gums treatment or a friendly ally in caring for your smile, trust Wekiva Dental. Our professional team provides a wide range of general and cosmetic dental services in the Orlando, Florida area. We have the technology, resources, and compassion to deliver all your services for a happy, healthy smile. Contact Wekiva Dental today to schedule your appointment.