Tooth abscess

[black bessie]

Does anyone know why I keep getting an abscess on my tooth? I've probably had about six over the last year in different places, but usually after I've seen the dentist and had some work done. I've had numerous course of antibiotics, changed dentist, but I still keep getting them.

[JustSia]

Did you have x-rays done? If not you should insist on one. If you don't trust your Dentist bring it up with your GP see what he/she says. But ultimately you have to resolve it with your Dentist. In the mean time make sure you look after your mouth properly.

[rachela500]

Abscesses are from not keep your mouth clean enough. Do you floss daily and use mouthwash? If not, I would start straight away. Recurrent abscesses in the same tooth often then require root filings. If you smoke, give that up too.

[JKennair]

Well in response to JustSia, given that I'm about to marry a doctor I can assure black bessie that seeing a GP about tooth abscesses is both an inappropriate and pointless waste of a GPs valuable time (during there five years as undergraduates they have about two hours teaching on the oral cavity, don't forget their busy learning medicine NOT dentistry)

However a second oppinion from a suitably qualified dental surgeon would probably be a good idea. Abscesses usually begin as an infection in the tooth resulting from decay. When they decay reaches the vital/living part of the tooth it causes inflammation and ultimately death of the nerve, the infection tracks down the tooth, but because the tooth is non-expansile you end-up with a bottle-neck effect and abscess formation this is very painful as I'm sure you are aware. The only treatment is then removal of the nerve and blood vessels of the tooth to provide drainage (root canal treatment) or extraction of the tooth.

In any case however abscesses tend to be related to tooth decay which in turn is related to oral hygiene and diet. A high-sugar diet with poor oral hygiene promotes decay.

[JKennair]

Oh forgot to mention, again in response to JustSia it is not the place of any patient to insist on X-rays. I'm sure you are aware that any X-ray dose (however small) is associated with a risk of malignant change. So x-rays are only administered when necessary, not when the patient decides they'd like a good zapping!!.