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Abscess in the mouth

definition

An abscess in the mouth is defined as a collection of pus that is localized in the mouth area. A mouth abscess is through a Pus-filled, heated, painful and tender swelling in the mouth marked.

Here the "Boil“Be localized in different places in the mouth. As a preliminary stage, a pasty swelling, an infiltrate or an edema in the mouth develops, which carry the risk of abscess formation. These preliminary stages can be distinguished from the actual accumulation of pus.

Causes of the abscess

In particular, people with a weakened body's own immune system are at risk of developing oral abscesses. Tiny injuries in the mouth create entry ports for bacteria. These can trigger inflammation and cause an abscess to form. In theory, this can happen anywhere in the mouth.

In addition, jaw abscesses can be caused in the mouth. These are usually caused by an inflamed tooth bed, a gingival pocket, a wisdom tooth that has not yet erupted, a tooth cyst or a dead tooth. When a tooth dies, toxins are released from the bacteria that metabolize the tissue. If there is also dental caries, it is easier and easier for the bacteria to invade. As a result, inflammation can develop and the pulp can die.

Read more here: Abscess on the tooth

If this area is not well supplied with blood, cells break down and break down. Eventually, an abscess in the mouth called a jaw abscess can develop as a result. Abscesses in the jaw can also result from an inflamed tooth root tip.

This can be explained by the increased activity of the body's own defense cells and the breakdown of the jawbone. In addition, underlying diseases such as a Diabetes mellitus or Cancers favor the development of oral abscesses.

Symptoms

If an abscess forms in the mouth, it may initially be symptom-free. However, if it grows, the typical signs of inflammation can show up at a certain size. These include one Swelling, reddening, pain, warming and possibly a functional impairment.

With a mature abscess, pus may leak out. This can result in a foul, unpleasant smell and taste.
The inflammation can spread further and attack other neighboring tissue.

Read more on the topic: Abscess on the roof of the mouth

Depending on where the abscess is, the cheek may be swollen. At a Maxillary abscess eyes can also swell. If the swelling is pronounced, the opening of the eyes and thus the ability to see can be impaired.
Should the Lower jaw be affected, opening the mouth is often painful and difficult. Also can Swallowing, eating, drinking, brushing teeth and speaking be painful and restricted. More information can be found here: Abscess in the lower jaw
Weight loss can also occur depending on how long the symptoms persist.
The pain can be in the Chin, throat, cheek, ears, nose, temples, forehead and eyes radiate. They can arise from pressure, touch or movement of the mouth or at rest.
Some sufferers even react sensitively to drafts in the context of a mouth abscess.
Often times the pain is described as strong and pulsating.
If the chewing muscles and surrounding nerves are inflamed, restricted mobility and a feeling of numbness can result.
In addition, a general feeling of illness, tiredness and malaise can occur.

If left untreated, the abscess can lead to complications. If a fever occurs, it is a warning sign that the bacteria have now entered the bloodstream. There is a risk of blood poisoning, which requires emergency medical attention.

Read also: Symptoms of blood poisoning

You can also read about other symptoms of an abscess by reading the following article: Symptoms of an abscess

How contagious is an abscess?

Since it is a bacterial infection, an oral abscess is theoretically contagious if someone comes into direct contact with the pathogen. Therefore, as a precaution, kissing should be avoided in the case of an existing oral abscess as long as the pathogen can still be detected. You should also not use a toothbrush together - regardless of whether you have an abscess or not.

Should you pierce / open the abscess yourself?

A mouth abscess should never be punctured or opened independently. Even if the person concerned thinks that it is only a minor thing and that various hygiene measures are taken, it is not possible for the person concerned to be able to assess and control the risk of the inflammation worsening.

This can lead to unpredictable complications with irreversible consequential damage. The inflammation can expand and spread uncontrollably. This can make the healing process much longer and more difficult. If necessary, permanent paralysis of the face or other irreversible damage can occur. In addition, blood poisoning can develop, which is fatal if left untreated. An abscess in the mouth should therefore always be examined and treated by a doctor.

How dangerous is an abscess in the oral cavity?

If left untreated, an oral abscess can lead to dangerous complications. Depending on where it is in the mouth, the abscess can, for example, cause tooth loss, damage to the masticatory muscles and / or impairment of certain nerves in the oral cavity.

In addition, an untreated abscess can degenerate into life-threatening blood poisoning. However, if an oral abscess is treated adequately and promptly, the chances of complications are very low.

You might also be interested in: Blood poisoning therapy

Treatment and therapy

Options for treating abscesses include the use of antibiotics on the one hand and surgery on the other. Only a doctor can assess which action must be taken. In some cases it is helpful to use a specific pull ointment for the mouth area. If the abscess is detected early enough, it often only requires a small incision under local anesthesia.

In very serious cases, the local anesthetic is insufficient, so a short anesthetic is recommended. This is discussed verbally and in writing with the person concerned. On the day of the procedure, no important decisions should be made, no machines should be operated and no car should be driven. During the procedure, the abscess is opened so that pus can flow out. If the abscess is already larger, it may be necessary to open the skin from the outside. This is usually followed by a drainage system so that newly forming pus can drain off directly. There is usually a follow-up treatment with antibiotics and wound healing measures. Regular follow-ups are also carried out. If there is an underlying disease, for example of the teeth, it must of course be treated.

For more information, see: Local anesthesia at the dentist

Home remedies can also be used for early stages of an oral abscess. In the case of advanced abscesses in the mouth, these may be advisable in addition to other measures. In addition to using home remedies, some sufferers prefer to take homeopathic remedies. This can have a positive effect in addition to medicinal and surgical therapy. It is important that homeopathic treatment and the use of home remedies are coordinated with the attending physician.

Read more on the topic: Betaisodona oral antiseptic

Treatment with ointment

If it is the initial stage of an oral abscess, a pull ointment can be effective in some cases. Due to its special properties, this ointment is supposed to pull the pus out of the oral abscess. This results in relief and the abscess can heal. If an abscess in the mouth is more advanced, treatment with a pull ointment is usually not sufficient.

Treatment with antibiotics

In some cases, taking antibiotics in tablet form is advisable and effective. Since a mouth abscess is a bacterial infection, certain antibiotics can help fight and kill the bacteria. The selection of the active ingredient depends on the pathogen. After a surgical procedure, antibiotics are used in various ways: as an infusion, in tablet form or they are applied locally to the affected area with the help of antibiotic carriers.

Home remedies

Various home remedies are used to support the treatment of an abscess. In order to facilitate the evacuation of the pus, heat in the form of a red light lamp or with the help of warm compresses can be advisable. Warm water, chamomile or sage tea can be used for the compresses.

You can also use mouthwashes Sea salt, sage or potassium carbonate have a soothing effect. To support the healing process in general, drinking Nettle tea be helpful.

In other cases the application of Onions a tried and tested home remedy. For this purpose, a sharp onion should be chopped up and placed on the oral abscess for about 15 minutes. If onions are well tolerated, increased consumption is recommended.

Some authors recommend it for abscesses of the gums garlic. It is also recommended for internal use. This means that you should eat as much garlic (in a reasonable amount) as possible, as it can activate the immune system. Alternatively, garlic capsules can be used if necessary. For topical application of garlic, a clove of garlic should be crushed and placed on the affected area for 15 minutes. If tolerated, this procedure can be repeated several times a day.

Another home remedy is this Clove oil. It is said to have a relieving effect on pain caused by an oral abscess. The oil can be gently dabbed onto the painful area with a clean cotton swab.

A mixture of cloves and ginger can also relieve pain. In addition, peppermint and grapefruit extract can help heal. In addition, a solution made from sesame seeds can relieve pain in the mouth.

The basis for successful treatment is giving up cigarettes and adequate oral care.

More on this topic: Home remedies for an abscess

homeopathy

The means are selected individually and according to the symptoms. For example be Silcea, Mecurius solubilis, Ledum or Hepar sulfuris used for an abscess in the mouth. All active ingredients in potency C12 are recommended for self-treatment. As a rule, 2 - 3 globules are taken up to 4 times a day. If possible, you should refrain from eating and drinking 15 minutes before and after ingestion. The globules should not be swallowed directly, but should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth.

diagnosis

Depending on where the abscess is located and the cause of the abscess, the diagnosis and treatment is made by a dentist, orthodontist or ENT specialist. First there is an anamnesis. Here the question is asked what the patient himself knows about his illness - i.e. how long the abscess has existed, when it was noticed, whether there was any previous treatment, etc. Then the doctor looks at the abscess. If pus emerges, a smear is taken in particularly extensive cases to determine the pathogen. If there are any side effects and suspicion of an underlying disease, further examinations are carried out, such as a blood sample to measure various parameters in the blood.

How long does an abscess last?

The time it takes for an oral abscess to heal completely depends on many different factors. Basically, the earlier an abscess in the mouth is treated, the faster the healing process. The immune system also plays a major role. The stronger this is, the faster and more complication-free an oral abscess can heal.

Abscess in the cheek

An abscess in the cheek can be caused by bacteria in the mouth. A cheek abscess can be related to a jaw abscess. The symptoms of a cheek abscess correspond to the typical signs of inflammation - similar to other parts of the mouth. The choice of treatment modality is often surgical intervention.

Read more on the topic: Abscess on the cheek

Abscess on the lip

Since the lip is chemically, mechanically, thermally and physically irritated on a daily basis, it can happen from time to time that small or larger injuries to the lip skin occur. Under certain circumstances, bacteria can invade and cause a lip abscess. Treatment includes similar measures and options as treatment for an oral abscess in the mouth.
More on this under: Abscess on the lip

Abscess during pregnancy

During pregnancy, due to a changed hormone balance and a possibly weakened immune system, the development of oral abscesses can be favored. Treatment of an oral abscess during pregnancy is carried out after a doctor has weighed up the benefit-harm ratio. As a rule, however, the pus should be drained, otherwise the body will suffer from a constant burden of inflammation.

Cigarette consumption

Cigarette smoke can delay the healing process of an oral abscess. It is therefore strongly advised to refrain from smoking. In addition, regular smoking can promote the development of an oral abscess.