Dental question about taxonomy:condition:dental-abscess

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by bacterial infection in a tooth or the tissues around it.

A dental abscess usually develops when bacteria reach the tooth pulp through decay, a crack, or injury, or when infection begins in the gum.

A dental abscess usually develops when bacteria reach the tooth pulp through decay, a crack, or injury, or when infection begins in the gum.

A periapical abscess starts near the root of an infected tooth, while a periodontal abscess forms in gum tissue or a periodontal pocket. Pressure can cause throbbing pain, swelling, tenderness, bad taste, or drainage.

Keep the area clean, use appropriate pain relief as directed, and avoid squeezing the swelling. A dentist treats the source by draining infection and preserving or removing the tooth when indicated.

Facial swelling, fever, rapidly worsening pain, difficulty swallowing, breathing, or opening the mouth requires emergency assessment. A small draining spot still needs dental care because drainage does not remove the source.