An abscess is a collection of pus that forms above the gum line. It is usually the result of a chip, crack, or a cavity in one of your teeth, causing bacteria to reach the inner part of your tooth more easily, leading to infection. The infection can build up and ooze out, creating an abscess. Thankfully, our team can often save the damaged tooth with root canal therapy and the abscess can be drained. If you’re concerned that you have an abscess, we suggest contacting our team as soon as possible.
Besides the noticeable abscess above the gumline, your gums will appear red and swollen. You may also experience pain when chewing and a toothache. You may have a fever or a strange taste in your mouth.
If you don’t yet have one but want to avoid getting one, there are certainly preventative measures that you can take. Brushing and flossing your teeth can help you avoid infection. Avoid situations where you might crack your tooth as well, and in sports activities, where a mouth guard. If you do crack a tooth, meet with us as soon as possible to get it taken care of.
If you’d like to learn more about dealing with an abscess in San Jose, California, we’d like to give Jamie P. Choi, DDS a call at 408-973-8500. Our dentist, Dr. Jamie Choi, and our team will gladly inspect your pearly whites and address any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting with you soon!