Preventing Tooth AbscessA tooth abscess is an infection that might be of important significance. It usually starts from either a tooth or the gums that surround a tooth. If the abscess comes from the gums, the abscess would have followed advanced gum disease which cause is mostly tartar and plaque that have irritated and inflated the gums. If the infection comes from the tooth itself, then it would have originated from a cavity that grew slowly and eventually reached the dental pulp (centre of the tooth) where the nerves and blood vessels are located.

Such an infection can be very uncomfortable, painful, and causing serious problems to a person’s health. Having a dental abscess is therefore not a pleasant experience and something to stay away from. Here are several ways to avoid it:

  • Daily dental hygiene is very important. You must brush your teeth 3 times a day or after each meal, and floss at least twice a day.
  • Seeing your dentist for regular dental checkups is important, preferably twice a year, in order to verify your teeth for cavities and your gums for gum disease.
  • Regular dental scalings and cleanings, preferably every three or six months depending on the gums’ condition, in order to remove any accumulating plaque or tartar.
  • Reducing the use of tobacco products, or stopping altogether. Smoking worsens gum disease if present, and makes it very hard to heal.

The information above should be used as a reference only. Any medical decision should not be taken before consulting a health care professional.

The masculine gender may have been more used in the article, but without prejudice, to make reading easier.

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