A condition results when bacteria or viruses invade and grow within the gum (soft tissues that surround the tooth) and cause inflamed swollen and red gum that bleeds.

a. Gingivitis

 

When the gum becomes inflamed it will have low immunity against bacteria; a condition which may participate in gum infections. If such an infection was severe an Acute Necrotizing Gingivitis may result causing the surface of the gum to fall off leaving tender non protected lacerated gum tissues

b. Pericoronitis

 

It is the inflammation of tissues around the wisdom tooth which become red, swollen and susceptible to bacterial infections. Such condition results from upper wisdom tooth biting on the gum tissue on top of a lower wisdom tooth that is not fully erupted. When bacteria invade these swollen tissues they become infected resulting in severe pain with difficulty in opening the mouth.

c. Periodontal abscess

 

When an infection forms a ball of pus in the gum, there is usually underlying bone damage and extensive periodontal treatment is needed.
 

2) DENTAL INFECTIONS (ABSCESS)

Definition

Is a small area of pus, surrounded by an area of inflamed tissues, filled with living and dead bacteria, white blood cells, and a lot of junk.

 

Causes

First bacteria infect the tiny nerves and blood vessels within the tooth as a result of a deep cavity or trauma. If left untreated, the infection spreads, killing the tissues within the tooth and forming pus, the product of an abscess. The abscess looks for a way to spread, but because the tooth is hard and confining, it moves into the surrounding jawbone, and then to the cheek and near the gums. If left untreated, the swelling can spread to the throat and become fatal if it prevents our ability to breathe.

 

Prognosis

• The pressure of the growing pus ball may cause severe dental pain.

• Inflammation and pus can reach the muscles that open and close the mouth. When this happens it is extremely difficult for a dentist to do anything because the patient can not open his mouth wide enough for the dentist to help.

• Because your brain is only 5cm away from your upper teeth, a dental infection can spread to the inside of your brain and quickly infect the tissues within your skull.

• Because your breath air way is adjacent to your lower teeth, uncontrolled swelling from fast growing dental infections can quickly block off the airway and cause immediate death from suffocation.

• Dental infection may end as a chronic dental abscess

  • Chronic dental abscess: is the abscess that is formed a long time ago and continues to grow until perforating all the hard and soft tissues forming an opening that discharges (oozes) pus periodically, this will feed the body with bacteria that may cause remote infections all over the body

 

INFECTIONS TREATMENT
 

As antibiotics have been commonly used; resistant bacteria results and can not be killed using ordinary antibiotic therapy. Accordingly it is of a great importance for everyone to take better care of his teeth and gum to prevent a dental infection. Routine dental treatment will help keep your teeth and gum healthy so you won't form dental infections.

All infections should be treated early before they possibly get out of hand and require extensive treatment· Patients should see a dentist immediately because a smaller infection is easier to treat than a large fast growing one.

 

Treatment steps

• Antibiotic (New Generation) should be used orally to kill off the bacteria.

• Hot packs are applied over the area of infection from outside the face.

  • This will help increasing the blood circulation to the area. Thus carrying the orally administered antibiotic to the infected area.

• The patient should rest at home and eat well to strengthen the body's resistance.

• Whenever possible, dental abscess is incised in order to drain the pus and prevent its growth.

• If the infection causes swelling near the breath airway the patient may have to be observed to be sure that the swelling doesn't block off his airway and cause suffocation. Incisions sometimes have to be made immediately into a dental infection to drain the pus that is causing the swelling.