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Gum Infection/abscess

B

brian81

Junior member
Joined
Mar 2, 2011
Messages
4
A few weeks ago i was given antibiotics for an abscess on my lower front gum after i managed to cut it while eating.
After i finished the course of antibiotics i went back to my dentist, there was less swelling than before, the dentist examined my teeth and gave them a little tap. There was no x ray and he did not drain the abscess....is this normal?
 
Hi Brian, not 100% sure what's going on here. Normally abscesses occur when there is infection and not from cutting your gum when eating. There is a possibility that you could have got something stuck in the gum (between the gum and the tooth) which could have set up a localised abscess (although it's impossible to say without seeing it).
I would be inclined to ask your dentist what type of abscess it is you have and what does he/she think caused it?
Normally I would drain any obvious swelling from an abscess if it possible to do so.
I think it would be good to try and find out a little bit more about the type of abscess/what caused it and what your dentist intends to do with it.

Hope that helps.
 
Hi

Thanks for the response.

I am a little unsure as to why he did not drain it. As i was expecting this, and as it is still there it is beginning to annoy me. He did tap all my teeth and there was no pain.
He has referred me to someone else as he believes i need a brace for my bottom teeth as i will continue to bite into my lower gum (i've been told i have a deep bite!?!?). I will have to wait 3 or 4 months for this to happen apparantly.
Perhaps he has not drained it as he wishes this specialist to see it?!

I will go back to him.
 
Hi Brian, I have seen cases whereby the bite is so deep that the persons top teeth actually bite into the gum on the lower teeth. This COULD be the reason why your abscess has happened. If this is the case then your dentist is right to send you to have your bite looked at (an orthodontist).
The reason I would say your dentist tapped your teeth was to check if the abscess was a true tooth abscess. But, by the sounds of things it is an abscess caused by 'occlusal trauma'. You can read this for a little bit more info on occlusal trauma here:


As for draining the abscess; I'm not sure. If possible I would have tried to drain it. But its impossible to say why he did/did not drain it. I would phone and ask him if he would drain it and see what he says.

Hope that helps
 
Thanks.

Im almost 100% sure that is what the cause is. I have regularly hurt my gum over the years but i managed to do it several times in a short period of time and definately cut the gum. Hopefully i will be able to get an appointment soon with the orthodontist to sort out my bite.

Brian
 
Hi Brian, hopefully all will get sorted soon.
 
How does Occlusal trauma cause a gum absess? Is this similar to consistent clenching and grinding? What is the science behind it. thanks
 
Hi Glee, its very specific ... the occlusal trauma causes mobility which in turn can cause a periodontal abscess. If you remove the cause (the occlusal trauma) then the periodontal abscessing will resolve.
Also ....Sometimes an acute periodontal abscess can arise by food/debris getting caught in the gum. In Brians case (and I was guessing that occlusal trauma was the cause of all the problems) if he has a very deep overbite then this probably would be more likely to occur.
Hope that helps
 
Just an update.

my abscesss has almost disappeared. I am now getting braces which i will have for over 2 years and need a retainer once treatment is complete.

I am not particularly looking forward to the treatment but its got to be done.


Brian
 

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