How does an abscess occur?

I think I have an abscessed tooth. The pain was sudden onset and woke me up last night. I immediately started taking ibuprofen to help control the pain from the inflammatory process.
I was not able to see my dentist today and the pain is KILLING me.
I am just curious as to how these abscesses occur.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me? (Preferrably a dental professional!)

Absesses are caused by more than one thing.
They are usually a bacterial infection caused by a decaying tooth left untreated until the bacteria (tooth decay) invade the center of a tooth which has nerves and blood vessels. It also can start in the gum tissue surrounding a tooth. It can also occur when a tooth is traumatised (by accident or sometimes even having dental work done on a tooth ie. big filling)
Regardless of the cause, I can assure you it won't go away on it's own. It can subside but will continually "flare-up". Absessed teeth can cause serious medical illness, sepsis (blood poisoning) and even in rare case death. Go to your medical doctor if you cannot afford a dentist right away. Antibiotics usually will calm the infection to buy you some time to fund your dental visit. You will have 2 choices: Pull the absessed tooth or Root Canal treatment. Saving the tooth is usually your best choice.
Remember: If in the short term pulling it is cheaper (and usually is), If you ever need to permantly replace your lost tooth Implants will cost you $3000 per tooth. Yeah...ouch.
Good luck and go get those antibiotics!! :D

Bacteria invading the gum.

Tags

　　Acoustic Neuroma 　　Acne 　　ACL 　　Acid Reflux 　　Achondroplasia 　　Achilles Tendon Injuries 　　Abscesses 　　Abortion 　　ABO 　　Abnormalities 　　Abdominal Pain

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