A periodontal abscess is a pocket of puss that forms within the soft tissue between the tooth and gum due to a bacterial infection. This is typically associated with a tooth that has already developed a periodontal pocket and bone loss. If left untreated, the abscess can possibly spread to other areas, causing severe consequences to your overall health.
The infection originates in the gum tissue next to the neck of the tooth, and can be caused from trapped food, impaction of a foreign object, or in most cases, built up bacteria due to chronic periodontal disease. As the infection worsens, your body forms a sac around it to attempt to contain it, which creates pressure and painful sensations. Signs and symptoms that you have a periodontal abscess can include pain around the abscess, swelling of gum tissue and an unpleasant taste in the mouth, leading to bad breath.
An abscess will not heal on its own, and if left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone and gum tissue. Periodontal abscesses are very serious, so it’s critical to work closely with your doctor to treat it early to minimize the potential for harm.
