A dental abscess is a pus-filled sac that develops in or around the root of a tooth. It may occur when bacteria invades a tooth as a result of tooth decay, a tooth fracture, or gum disease.
Symptoms include severe pain on touching the affected tooth and when eating; loosening of the tooth; and a red, painful swelling of the gum over the root of the toot
Treatment may involve drilling the tooth to drain the abscess, followed by root-canal treatment (removing the tooth’s inner tissues and then sealing the tooth). In some cases, it may be necessary to extract the affected tooth.
An abscess around the root of a tooth may be treated by scraping away the affected material. Antibiotics may also be prescribed