Emergency gingival and periodontal abscess
What area does this abscess involve?
Definition
In this emergency we refer to the tissue in your mouth called the mucosal that encapsulates the alveolar bone that essentially creates a seal for your gums and tooth or teeth.
Healthy Gums and Teeth
In its most healthy state the tissue is light pink or coral in colour and is tightly bound to the underlying bone. The tight bond to the bone is nature's design assisting to reduce friction when eating.
Symptoms
If you suffer bleeding and swelling in the gum area, you may have a chronic gingivitis. If this is not treated over a period of time, the surrounding bone will be affected. Your gum will recede and 'pockets' will form.
A.U.G. (Acute Ulcerating Gingivitis): This is an acute form of gingivitis which is painful along the gum. They look red, swollen and bleed easily. The most noticeable and undesirable outcome of this condition is halitosis (bad breath).
Causes of a gingival / periodontal abscess
Once the bony pocket has developed, and when the circumstances are right, usually this happens when the patient's resistance is low, e.g. stress or fatigue, bacterial growth such as streptococcal, anaerobic or staphylococcal overwhelms the tissue and may lead to an often painful abscess. Although not an absolute rule, gingival abscess is generally not associated with fever or filling-related abscess in the same way that a periapical abscess emergency would be.
Gingival and periodontal abscess emergency service
In severe cases this abscess can lead to a periodontal abscess emergency when the abscess stems deep enough into the supporting periodontal structures of the mouth.
Bondi Dental's Treatment
Treatment would involve the removal of any remaining food or plaque debris, possible abscess drainage of the periodontal abscess and following treatment by antibiotics such as penicillin, clindamycin or tetracyclines. Tooth Ache pain relief through an analgesic might be required depending on the level of pain as would a follow up consultation to ensure that no further abscess in the area occurs.
One Section Up : Abscess Tooth Emergency
Parent Section : Emergency Dentist