If you have ever experienced a toothache that throbbed so much you could not stand it, you may have experienced an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth is a problem that happens to many people, but it is also something you might be able to prevent. Here are three important things to understand about abscessed teeth.

What is an abscess?

The word "abscess" is a word that dentists use to describe an infection in a tooth or near a tooth. The infection is often found in the tissue of a tooth, which is located in the roots of a tooth. An infection can cause a lot of pain, and it is hard to treat the pain from an infection in your mouth. The only true way to eliminate this pain is by getting help for the abscessed tooth.

What causes an abscess?

A tooth can develop an abscess for many different reasons, but it is typically because the tooth has a problem with itself. A tooth that is problem-free typically does not become infected, and this is because teeth have a protective layer of enamel around them. If the enamel wears away or if part of the inner tooth is exposed, an abscess can occur.

Abscesses are very common with teeth that are cracked, as it is easy for bacteria to enter into the tissue of the tooth when there is a crack present. Abscesses can also occur if a tooth has a cavity on it that needs treatment. In addition, you could experience an abscess if you have gum disease or enamel erosion. Anytime there is a problem with a tooth, it opens up the risk for an abscess to form.

How can you prevent an abscess or treat one you currently have?

If you have ever experienced an abscessed tooth, you probably want to know what you can do to prevent this from happening again, as it can be extremely painful. The best way to prevent this is by getting all oral problems treated as soon as they develop.

If you currently have an abscessed tooth, you will need to visit a dentist to find out why it happened. When the dentist diagnoses why it happened, he or she will be able to offer you a treatment plan to fix the problem. Fixing it might include going through a root canal procedure or placing a crown over the tooth. It will depend on what the problem is, though.

Getting an abscessed tooth is not a pleasant event and it will require treatment. If you have questions about this or need to schedule an appointment, call a dental clinic in your town.