What Causes A Gum Abscess

Evan Bumbera • November 7, 2022
A man with a beard is holding his mouth in pain.

In most cases, a gum abscess develops when bacteria can invade the area between the teeth and the gums surrounding them. In your mouth live a vast number of bacteria that get their sustenance from the microscopic food particles trapped in your teeth.


However, these bacteria are willing to nestle themselves into any crack or crevice that presents itself, establishing an unwelcome abode and producing an illness. If you don’t practice basic dental hygiene or your gums have deteriorated to the point where a periodontal pocket has formed, this space will be more accessible to bacteria.


A periodontal pocket is an area surrounding the teeth where the gums have receded, creating an environment where food debris, plaque, and bacteria may gather and flourish. Once the bacteria have established a foothold, your immune system will mount a defense against the perceived danger, resulting in the accumulation of pus at the site of the infection.

Gum Abscesses Cannot Be Treated At Home

Regrettably, it is not feasible to undertake gum abscesses home treatment in a safe manner. You have to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible because the pus has to be drained, the region needs to be cleaned and prepped for recovery, and the oral cavity needs to be cleaned preventatively. The dentist may also give the patient antibiotics to contain the illness and stop further progress. In addition to that, they could prescribe pain medicine.


If required, your dentist may take x-rays to evaluate how far the infection has progressed, and they may choose to perform a root canal on a tooth that has been injured.

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Your oral health is our number one priority. You can rely on us, our comfortable and stress-free dental care facility in Las Vegas, to put our years of experience and extensive knowledge to work for you to achieve optimal oral health.

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