What is a cheek abscess?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Trung Hau – Doctor of Odonto-Stomatology – Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine – Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

Cheek abscess is a localized abscess in the cheek area, cheek abscess can be caused by a tooth that has been infected with decay for a long time. When there is a cheek abscess, the patient has pain or no pain in the area of ​​the cheek abscess.

1. What is a cheek abscess?

Abscess is an inflammatory organization, localized into a soft mass, inside containing pus composed of bacteria, debris and white blood cells. When there is an abscess, the spot is a soft, flabby mass, the abscess area is hot, red, swollen, and painful to the touch. What is cheek abscess? Cheek abscess is a localized abscess in the cheek area, cheek abscess can be caused by a decayed tooth that has been infected for a long time. Cheek abscess symptoms may include:
The patient has pain or no pain in the area of ​​the cheek abscess. In case of tooth infection causing inflammation to spread to the floor of the mouth, the patient may have fever, difficulty eating, fatigue, pain, and insomnia. The site of the cheek abscess is red and swollen. Pain may radiate to the cheek, parotid, and lower jaw area. Due to the pain, opening the mouth is limited. Excessive salivation, stench, difficulty breathing and swallowing.

Vị trí áp xe má bị sưng đỏ

2. Causes of motorcycle abscess

The most common cause of cheek abscesses is dental problems. The specific causes are as follows:
Due to teeth: Tooth inflammation around the root, teeth with inflammation around the teeth that are not treated in time or abscess due to complications of wisdom teeth when erupting. Cheek abscess from other causes: Other causes of cheek abscess can be due to treatment complications, trauma or infection of the surrounding area.

3. Treatment protocol for abscesses

When it comes to cheek abscesses, accurate diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to prevent complications. The principle of treatment of cheek abscess is to drain the pus and treat the cause tooth. Specific treatment methods are as follows:
Systemic treatment: Use antibiotics and improve physical condition. Topical treatment: Intraoral treatment when the abscess progresses towards the oral mucosa. At this time, the doctor will anesthetize and then make an incision in the mucosa at the lowest and most bulging part of the abscess to clearly expose the abscess to drain the pus. After that, irrigation and drainage are required. Treatment of the root cause: Topical treatment is applied when the abscess progresses below the skin of the cheek area. In this method, the doctor will also numb the skin to make an incision under the jaw to remove the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Then use Korche forceps to penetrate the abscess area to drain the pus, irrigate and place the drainage. When you have a cheek abscess, you need to go to the hospital for examination and treatment as soon as possible so that the doctor can completely treat it to avoid dangerous complications.

Khi bị áp xe má, việc chẩn đoán chính xác và điều trị là phương pháp tốt nhất để phòng tránh các biến chứng

Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, patients can rest assured to visit. and treatment of cheek abscess at the Hospital.

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XEM THÊM:

• Are wisdom teeth growing out of the cheeks dangerous?
• Uses of Naphacogyl
• What is an abscess? Formation and principles of treatment

I think I’ve got an abscess in my mouth! What do I do now?

26th April 2022 | Posted by: Vanessa Giraud

Have you woken up to throbbing pain and a swollen face?

Or have you got a raised lump on your gum that hurts? Perhaps you feel like you’ve got a temperature too?

Getting an abscess is hard, as it can cause swelling and pain. You may be able to reduce the pain temporarily, but it must be checked as infection can spread.

Be especially careful of infection if you have other issues, such as a heart condition or diabetes. If your dentist is not available, check NHS 111 online to find out where the nearest emergency dental facility is.

An abscess is a condition that needs treatment. It’s likely that a health professional will prescribe antibiotics for you until a dental appointment is available.

How do I know if it is an abscess in my mouth?

If you’re experiencing throbbing pain in your mouth, and there’s swelling, then the chances are you have an abscess in your mouth. An oral abscess is a pocket of pus caused by bacterial infection. It’s painful and needs treatment.

• pain, tenderness and swelling around the infected area in the mouth.
• pain spreading to the jaw, ear or neck.
• gums may be swollen and red.
• teeth will feel especially sensitive to pressure and temperature.
• pus may ooze between the infected tooth and the gum line.

Is it URGENT?

• Bleeding that will not stop?
• Swelling of the mouth or throat which is getting worse?
• Trauma to the face, mouth or teeth?
• A permanent tooth knocked out?

Yes? All these are matters of urgency. Don’t wait to call for help. The NHS emergency helpline is there 24/7 for advice or help:

• In England call 111

What do I do now?

The first thing to do is get professional help. An abscess won’t go away without treatment. During the practice’s opening hours, your dentist should be able to fit you in for an emergency appointment the same day, but call early as the spaces soon fill up. Practices usually have special arrangements too for patients who need treatment out of hours. If you subscribe to a monthly payment plan with your dental practice, that usually covers emergency call-out charges too. Even out of hours, it’s a good idea to call your own practice, as the answer phone will offer helpful information. Remember – if you have swelling that is continuing to increase and threatens your breathing, treat it as a dental emergency. Because an abscess is a bacterial infection, it’s important to get it seen as soon as possible so that treatment can begin. Don’t be tempted to delay, take a few pain-killers, and hope it’ll go away.

• Although sepsis is rare, it is a real consequence of infection, including oral infections, and can be dangerous.

What can I do to help with the pain until I can see a dentist?

• Rinse your mouth with salty water at room temperature.
• Avoid food and drink that is sugary, spicy, too warm or too cold.
• Eat soft foods, to avoid pressure.
• Ask a pharmacist for advice on pain medication.
• Check any pain medication you have been prescribed, and follow the recommended dosage.
• Take care if you take non-prescription painkillers. Follow the instructions for use and don’t take too often.
• Ask a healthcare professional about compatibility with other medications.
• Remember:
  • a painkiller only disguises the problem.
  • do not rely on them, and
  • do not avoid treatment.

Why do abscesses happen?

There are several reasons why you may have got an abscess in your mouth. Most often it’s a sign your oral care isn’t meeting your needs. There’s no need to feel embarrassed about that, as people need different levels of oral hygiene according to the condition of their dental enamel and their general health. That said, we should all maintain a minimum regime of brushing for two minutes last thing at night, and at one other time during the day, as well as a daily floss. Because an abscess occurs when bacteria penetrate the pulp of a tooth (periapical abscess) or colonise the margins between the tooth and gum (periodontal abscess):

• a diet that is too sugary increases bacterial growth in the mouth.
• broken or chipped teeth open pathways for infection.
• sensitive teeth have tiny cracks that allow bacteria to penetrate through the tough enamel into dental pulp.
• symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding and soreness, were disregarded.
• difficult to clean wisdom teeth become infected.
• a dental procedure can also cause infection.

What will my dentist do next?

Root canal therapy can often save an infected tooth.

Your dentist will clear the infection by draining the abscess, and may prescribe a course of appropriate antibiotics. Moving forward, sometimes the tooth can be saved with root canal therapy. In some cases, however, removing the tooth is the only safe option.

• Answers to your root canal treatment concerns

As everyone has individual dental needs, your dentist is the best person to assess the condition of your teeth and gums, plan your treatment, and restore your oral health.

Will I lose my tooth?

In some cases an extraction is the most straightforward solution. Your dentist will always take times to discuss your options with you.

“Abscess in gum above loose crown: Saw my dentist after I developed an abscess in my gum above a loose crown which had an infection in the root! Had my crown and tooth pulled out with a squirt of anaesthetic and I hardly felt it had been done! Had hardly any bleeding and no pain afterwards, a brilliant job done!” JJ – a SpaDental Plymouth patient

If you do need to have an extraction, your dentist will let you know how the gap can be replaced by either a fixed or removable restoration, such as a bridge, a denture or an implant, depending on each individual case.

• Somerset? SpaDental Chard emergency
• Devon or Cornwall? SpaDental Plymouth
• Gloucestershire? SpaDental Tewkesbury emergency
• Shropshire or Staffordshire? SpaDental Whitchurch

Why are dental checks important?

Surprisingly, knowing how painful an abscess can be, in some cases it is possible to be unaware that you have a dental abscess. Sometimes an abscess is only spotted by a dentist in an x-ray. Left untreated the abscess can go on to cause further infections. Regular visits to the dentist will help you to maintain optimum oral health. During every check up, your dentist will do a systematic review of your mouth, looking for any signs of dental decay, gum disease or ulcerations. Check-ups are the way to keep dentally fit with individually tailored and monitored care.

How do I stop an abscess happening again?

To prevent another dental abscess, it’s important to review your oral hygiene practices. Your dentist and dental hygienist can help put you back on track to improved oral health. Many dental practices offer patients the opportunity to pay for regular check-ups and hygiene appointments on a monthly basis. It’s worth finding out how to become a plan patient as many people, especially those who avoid dentists, find that if they make the financial investment they are more likely to attend regular appointments.

People also ask:

• • My filling fell out. What do I do?
  • I’ve knocked out a tooth. What do I do?
  • Can an oral infection cause sepsis?
  • My gums are bleeding. Is it serious?

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Emergency, Oral Hygiene, Perio, Root Canal

June, 2023

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Abscess of the oral cavity, treatment, diagnosis and prosthetics

• Author: Naumovich Yuliya Yakovlevna
• Specialty: Dentist-Orthodontist
• Category: Doctor of the highest qualification category

Table of contents

1. What is oral abscess?
2. Varieties of abscess by localization
3. Diagnosis
4. Causes of abscess development in the oral cavity
5. Symptoms
6. Treatment of oral abscess
7. Prognosis and prevention of oral abscess

What is an oral abscess?

Oral abscess is an acute inflammatory disease characterized by the formation and accumulation of pus in the tissues of the gums, tongue or cheeks. An abscess is accompanied by local swelling and compaction of soft tissues, severe pain on palpation, fever and general weakness. The disease is diagnosed by a dentist after a visual examination of the tissues, after which an urgent surgical intervention is required: opening the abscess, followed by cleaning and taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

Oral abscess is one of the most common complications in the practice of surgical dentistry. It can be seen in patients of all ages. Untimely treatment can lead to the transition of inflammation to the chronic stage. Against its background, sepsis and phlegmon may develop. That is why if you experience the slightest symptoms of an abscess, you should immediately visit the dentist.

Types of abscess by location

An abscess is classified based on the site of inflammation. The following types of pathology are distinguished:

Gingival abscess

The most common variety, inflammation occurs near a specific tooth. If left untreated, an abscess can provoke: leakage of pus from the resulting fistula, putrid odor from the mouth and intoxication of the body.

Abscess of the floor of the mouth

Formed under the tongue, which causes severe pain and discomfort during communication or eating. With spontaneous opening of the abscess, the infected fluid is poured into the oral cavity and can provoke a new focus in the pharynx and neck.

Abscess of the palate

Occurs against the background of not completely cured or transferred periodontitis of the teeth of the upper jaw. In the future, inflammation can spread to the peritonsillar region and other tissues of the palate, which will lead to osteomyelitis of the palatine plate.

Abscess of the cheek

The depth of the lesion of this mucosal area determines the localization of inflammation, which can sit inside the cheek or go to the outer surface. Such abscesses are extremely dangerous, because the infection can affect nearby facial organs and tissues.

Tongue abscess

Obvious signs include swelling of the tongue, pain during meals, difficulty communicating and breathing. This type of abscess, according to doctors, is the most dangerous and requires immediate treatment.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an oral abscess is carried out by a visual examination of the patient’s mucous tissues by a dentist. Arbitrary opening or application of antibacterial drugs is strictly prohibited! This can aggravate and complicate the course of the disease. Before contacting a specialist, the patient can only do mouth rinses with an antiseptic solution and take analgesics. To relieve swelling of the cheek, you can apply cold to its outer surface.

Causes of oral abscess development

Oral abscess occurs as a complication of advanced periodontitis and periodontitis. These diseases are characterized by damage to the teeth and gums, followed by the formation of pockets in the periodontium. They accumulate pathogenic microorganisms that provoke inflammation. Among other things, an abscess can occur due to infection in a damaged area of ​​\u200b\u200bsoft tissue (trauma, syringe needle, instrument). The cause of the disease is often staphylococcal and streptococcal tonsillitis, as well as boils on the face.

Inflammation in the oral cavity also appears as a complication after the flu or SARS, which weaken the immune system, as a result of which the body is not able to fight the infection.

Symptoms

Abscess is characterized by rapid development. Initially, the patient may be disturbed only by minor bouts of pain, similar to the sensations that arise during caries or periodontitis. Subsequently, the pain is localized in one place and gradually increases. In a specific place, there is swelling, sometimes a neoplasm on the gum, sometimes reaching the size of a walnut. If the inflammation is localized closer to the outer surface, then swelling and redness can be observed with the naked eye. If you notice the first symptoms, we recommend that you consult a dentist.

An abscess of the tongue is characterized by an increase in the volume of the organ, difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and even suffocation. Any abscess is accompanied by fever, deterioration and general weakness, insomnia, loss of appetite. The progression of the disease leads to a breakthrough of the abscess, which is manifested in a decrease in temperature, a decrease in swelling and an improvement in general well-being. However, there is no reason to stop treatment, as inflammation can continue and develop into a chronic form. This can lead to loss of teeth, sepsis and phlegmon.

Oral abscess treatment

Abscess treatment requires surgery. In order to eliminate the infectious focus and stop the spread of inflammation, the dentist-surgeon in stages:

• opens the abscess;
• drains the cavity;
• cleans the pocket;
• rarely sutures if the incision is large.

After removing the pus, the patient’s health improves, the geometry of the face is restored. Taking antibiotics, antihistamines, immunostimulants and vitamin complex significantly speed up the healing process. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe physiotherapy procedures (UHF therapy and fluctuorization).

For some time, the patient needs to exclude solid food from the diet and follow the rules of a healthy diet.

Prognosis and prevention of oral abscess

The success of oral abscess treatment depends on the stage of the disease at which the patient seeks help and how strong the body’s defense mechanism is. With timely treatment, the prognosis for the elimination of inflammation is quite favorable. In the absence of complications, strong immunity and a well-conducted opening of the focus, an abscess of the oral cavity can be cured in a couple of weeks.

Prevention of the disease consists in observing the following recommendations:

• regular brushing of teeth and professional oral hygiene at least once every six months;
• minimizing the risk of mucosal injury;
• timely treatment of caries and periodontal disease;
• preventive dental check-up once every 6 months.

Abscess of the oral cavity – symptoms, causes, treatment, prevention, prognosis

Abscess of the oral cavity is an inflammatory disease in which there is an accumulation of pus in the tissues of the oral cavity. It can be the gum, tongue, cheek. With an abscess, there is localized swelling and thickening of tissues, significant pain when pressed, weakness, fever. The dentist diagnoses the disease based on the results of a visual examination of the patient’s oral cavity and the presence of signs of tissue inflammation. With an abscess, immediate surgical intervention is indicated. This is the opening of the abscess and cleaning the site of the lesion. Then the doctor prescribes treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Abscess is one of the most common problems in oral surgery. Patients can be people of any age. Usually, an abscess is a consequence of a complicated dentoalveolar pathology, but it is also observed with mucosal damage or infectious diseases.

Untimely provision of medical care leads to the transition of the disease to a chronic form, to such undesirable consequences as phlegmon or sepsis. Self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited. To avoid serious complications, be sure to consult a doctor at the first sign of illness.

Typical causes

An abscess of the oral cavity is usually caused by complications of dental pathologies, for example, periodontitis or periodontal disease that has not been treated in a timely manner. In such cases, the periodontal junctions are destroyed and periodontal pockets appear. They serve as a localization for the rapid reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms that provoke inflammatory phenomena.

Also, the cause of the disease can be an accidental infection in the wound when the mucous membrane is damaged. This situation can occur during anesthesia with a syringe needle or as a result of an injury. Furuncles on the face, inflammatory diseases of the throat can provoke the progression of an abscess. It was noted that abscesses often developed with influenza or other similar diseases. This can be explained by the general weakening of human immunity.

As a rule, the cause of an oral abscess is an infectious lesion provoked by more than 3-5 microorganisms. Typical agents provoking the development of the disease are usually staphylococci, streptococci and gram-negative anaerobic flora (Eikenellacorrodens, Porphyromonasgingivalis, Enterobacteriaceae spp., etc.).

Types of abscess depending on the location

According to localization, the following types of abscesses of the oral cavity are distinguished:

Gingival abscess, its localization – a place next to a certain tooth. This option is the most common and typical. If there is no appropriate treatment, it can develop into extensive inflammation or into the chronic stage. At the same time, episodic relapses, pus discharge, bad breath, general intoxication are observed.

Abscess of the floor of the mouth located in the area under the tongue. This type of disease is characterized by intense pain during communication and while eating. If the abscess breaks by itself, a possible ingress of pus can provoke the appearance of new foci of inflammation.

A palatal abscess is usually caused by periodontal disease in the maxillary teeth. It is dangerous because the infection can go to the nearby tissues of the palate and peritonsillar zone, progression of osteomyelitis of the palatine plate is possible.

Cheek abscess varies in depth. In accordance with this, it is localized either inside from the mucosal side, or on the outer surface of the cheek. This type of abscess is extremely dangerous. The reason for this is the likelihood of its spread to the nearest tissues of the face.

Tongue abscess is characterized by swelling of the tongue, difficulty eating and speaking. It happens that it is difficult for the patient to breathe. Such an abscess is very dangerous. At the first sign of the disease, immediate hospitalization is required.

Symptoms of the disease

An abscess of the oral cavity usually develops in a short time. First, there are minor pain manifestations, similar in nature to the signs of periodontitis. In this case, pain is concentrated in the area of ​​​​a particular tooth and is felt more strongly when biting. Then a very painful, compacted swelling appears in the area of ​​​​inflammation. Visually, it looks like a rounded bulge on the surface of the gums. Sometimes such a seal can be the size of an average plum.

Abscess of the tongue progresses rapidly. Increasing pain in the tissues of the tongue. There is swelling of the tongue: its size increases, it is difficult for the patient to speak and eat. The disease is dangerous because in especially severe cases, suffocation is possible. Often, inflammation is localized under the mucous membrane of the soft tissues of the oral cavity or under the surface of the skin. In this case, visually during an external examination, redness and swelling in the inflammation zone are visible.

Any oral abscess causes a deterioration in the general condition of the patient. At the same time, body temperature rises, difficulties with falling asleep appear, appetite worsens. The increase in inflammation can lead to spontaneous opening of the abscess. The outflow of pus relieves the patient’s condition. The patient’s pain sensations decrease, the tumor subsides, the temperature and well-being normalize. But in this case, you can not calm down, as the risk of complications is high.

Possible complications

It happens that the inflammatory process does not stop, but continues and passes into the chronic stage. Inflammation can affect nearby tissues. An abscess of the oral cavity is fraught with many serious complications. For example, it can lead to the loss of one or more teeth, to the development of phlegmon and sepsis. To exclude the occurrence of undesirable consequences, you should immediately consult a doctor to prescribe appropriate therapy.

Diagnosis

Oral abscess is diagnosed by visual examination of the patient. The doctor, based on an assessment of the condition of the mucous membrane, makes a diagnosis. It is strictly forbidden to wait for a spontaneous breakthrough of the abscess. You should not self-medicate and take antibacterial drugs on your own. To relieve pain, you can take an anesthetic tablet before going to a medical facility. A warm solution of antiseptics can be used to rinse the mouth.

Surgery is mandatory. To eliminate the focus of inflammation, the doctor opens the abscess. In order to prevent the infection from spreading, the surgeon puts a drainage tube and treats the wound with an antiseptic. As a rule, there is no need to suture after such an operation: the incision is usually small.

When the pus is removed, the patient feels better. The pain subsides, the swelling begins to subside, the face takes on its usual normal appearance. However, if the abscess of the oral cavity has gone too far, the recovery process can be lengthy.

After the operation, the patient is prescribed antibiotics. You should also take antihistamines and immunostimulants, vitamins, minerals. Sometimes physiotherapeutic procedures are also prescribed. Among them, fluctuorization or UHF. After surgery, you should not eat solid food for some time. Also, the patient is advised to eat right.

Prognosis and preventive measures

Oral abscess usually ends well. To do this, the patient should immediately consult a doctor when the first symptoms of the disease appear. The general condition of the patient is also important. It is critical to start treatment as soon as possible. This will significantly increase the chances of a successful solution to the problem. In the case of timely surgical intervention and the absence of complications, the abscess of the oral cavity is cured within 1-2 weeks.

To avoid the risk of oral abscess, good hygiene is required. It is necessary to try to prevent injuries of the oral mucosa, in the presence of periodontal disease, consult a doctor in time.

References

• Facial skin abscess.