Are dental abscesses dangerous? The answer to this question is yes, although the risk depends largely on the situation itself. Abscesses are a relatively common form of dental condition that can cause severe pain, swelling and other complications if left untreated.
A dental abscess will require immediate attention from your dentist, so it’s important not to dismiss symptoms like toothache and gum inflammation, as these signs could indicate an infection or abscess. In some cases, you may even find that a delayed diagnosis or improper treatment by a dentist can lead to your symptoms worsening vastly, which may raise concerns about dental negligence.
In this blog, we’ll explore dental abscesses, s and how they can be treated. We’ll also give you the knowledge needed to pursue a dental negligence claim against your dentist.
At the Dental Law Partnership, we’re experts in the field of dental negligence, always on hand to help you with your claim if you feel a dental professional has acted negligently towards you. You can start your claim here – alternatively, please contact our dedicated team at 0800 152 2036.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
In layman’s terms, a dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, which can be very painful.
There are two main types of dental abscess:
- Periapical abscesses: Periapical abscesses develop at the tip of a tooth’s root. They are usually caused by bacteria working its way into the tooth through holes in the enamel and dentine layers. These bacteria cause the dental pulp inside the tooth to become infected, which then leads to an abscess forming at the root end.
- Periodontal abscesses: Periodontal abscesses are slightly different to periapical abscesses. They’re usually located in the soft tissue and supporting bone structure around your teeth, often occurring when these parts of your mouth break down due to gum disease (sometimes known as periodontal disease). When the gums become inflamed, gaps around the teeth can occur, as these areas are harder to keep clean, bacteria can build up and create an abscess.
Untreated dental infections can have serious consequences, causing symptoms such as swelling, pain and even systemic health issues. Dental infections can even spread to the lips, jaw, ears and neck, so it’s important you get any infections treated as quickly as possible.
What Are the Main Symptoms of a Dental Abscess?
It’s important to recognise the main symptoms of a dental abscess, which may help you to receive timely treatment. The most common dental abscess signs include:
- A severe, throbbing toothache and pain that doesn’t go away
- Swelling in the face, cheek or jaw areas
- Increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Fever and a general feeling of malaise
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing, speaking or breathing
- A foul taste in the mouth or bad breath (halitosis)
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important that you see a dental professional as soon as possible to get the issue diagnosed and treated. If your symptoms are dismissed by your dentist and they persist, or your dentist fails to provide the appropriate treatment for your condition, it could indicate a case of dental negligence.
Delayed treatment can lead to serious complications further down the line. This means that if your dentist fails to diagnose or treat the abscess promptly, it could be classified as dental negligence.
Are Dental Abscesses Dangerous?
Dental abscesses often start as localised infections, but they can quickly become dangerous if they are not treated adequately. Here are the main reasons why dental abscesses may be considered dangerous:
1. The Spread of Infection
If you have an abscess, the bacteria causing your dental infection can spread to the surrounding tissues, including the jawbone and neck. In more severe cases, the spread of infection can lead to debilitating conditions like:
- Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a painful skin infection that can affect the face and the neck.
- Osteomyelitis: Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone, which can lead to bone loss and chronic pain.
- Sepsis: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the infection enters the bloodstream, which can cause organ failure. Sepsis is linked with healthcare-associated infections and can be caused as a result of dental or medical negligence.
If you have a spreading infection and your dentist fails to recognise the signs and symptoms of the condition (or if they delay treatment), this could be classed as dental negligence, particularly if it results in a life-threatening illness like sepsis.
2. Tooth Loss
Dental abscesses can also destroy the tooth’s supporting structures, including the bone and ligaments. This means that the affected tooth may need to be extracted if prompt treatment is not conducted on the patient. As well as being painful, a tooth extraction procedure may also lead to psychological issues and a loss of confidence in your smile..
If your dentist fails to provide timely care and their actions result in unnecessary tooth loss, you may have grounds for a dental negligence claim.
3. Systemic Health Conditions
Research conducted in the last decade has shown that untreated dental infections can contribute to systemic health issues. For example, a study by the Journal of Dental Research found that undetected tooth infections increase the risk of heart disease by almost three times.
Some of the main health issues that can arise from dental infections include:
- Heart disease: Bacteria from your abscesses can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart valves, raising your chances of developing heart disease.
- Diabetes complications: Infections can also make it harder to control your blood sugar levels, which can be particularly harmful for people with illnesses like diabetes.
- Respiratory infections: Bacteria can also be inhaled into the lungs, which can cause lung conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis.
If your dentist ignores these risks and fails to treat your abscess properly, this could be considered negligent behaviour – it’s a major sign that your dentist has failed to uphold and follow their duty of care responsibilities.
How Are Dental Abscesses Treated?
Several different treatment options are available for patients with dental abscesses and infections. However, the type of treatment offered by your dentist will depend largely on the severity and location of your abscess.
Below, we’ve listed some of the most common treatment options offered by dental professionals for abscesses:
1. Abscess Drainage
The first step in treating a dental abscess should be to drain the pus from the abscess site, which may help relieve pain and reduce the risk of spreading infection. Your dentist will typically drain pus by making a small incision in the abscess – in some cases, they may also perform a root canal procedure to remove the infected tissue.
If your dentist fails to drain the abscess properly and this leads to further complications occurring later on, you may be eligible to open a dental claim against them.
2. A Course of Antibiotics
Dental abscesses are caused by oral infections, so a course of antibiotics may be prescribed in severe cases where there is evidence of spreading infection to help fight off the infection. This process may be particularly helpful if the patient has a weakened immune system or if the infection has spread from another site. You should finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better halfway through the treatment process.
However, it’s important to note that antibiotics alone are not a substitute for draining the abscess. If your dentist gives you antibiotics without addressing the underlying cause of the abscess, this could be seen as inadequate care, and you may be able to open a dental negligence case against them.
3. Root Canal Treatment
Your dentist may also consider carrying out root canal treatment, which may be necessary to remove the infected pulp inside the tooth and save it from extraction. Root canal procedures typically involve cleaning, disinfecting and sealing the tooth’s root canal, as well as removing the infected pulp area.
If your dentist performs a root canal incorrectly and this leads to further complications, this could be grounds for a failure to treat dental negligence claim.
4. Tooth Extraction Procedures
In very severe dental abscess cases (for example, if the tooth cannot be saved), a tooth extraction may be the only option available to you. After the tooth is removed from your mouth, the abscess will be drained and the area will be cleaned to prevent further infections from spreading.
It’s extremely rare, but if your dentist extracts the wrong tooth or fails to provide the proper aftercare advice following treatment, these actions could be considered negligent.
5. A Hospital Stay
In rare cases, a severe dental abscess may require hospitalisation for the patient, especially if the infection has spread to other parts of the body or has developed into a condition like sepsis. In these circumstances, intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage of the abscess may be necessary.
If your dentist fails to recognise the severity of your condition and does not refer you to a hospital when required, this could be classed as a breach of their duty of care. However, we should point out that hospitalisation for tooth abscesses and dental infections are very rare, so it’s important to try not to worry about this scenario occurring.
How Can I Prevent Dental Abscesses?
At The Dental Law Partnership, we believe that prevention is always better than a cure, so steps should be taken to reduce your chances of getting a dental infection. Here are some of our top tips to reduce your risk of developing a dental abscess:
- Use a fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day.
- Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from your teeth.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings
- Avoid consuming sugary foods and drinks, as they can contribute to tooth decay.
- Treat dental issues like cavity fillings and gum disease as soon as they arise
If you follow the steps laid out above and still develop a dental abscess due to inadequate dental care, you may be eligible for a dental negligence claim against your dentist.
Seeking Legal Advice for Dental Abscesses
Most dental abscesses can be treated effectively with prompt care, but there may be instances in which dental negligence may play a role, which could make you eligible for a claim against your dentist. Examples of these scenarios include:
- Failing to diagnose a dental abscess in a timely manner.
- Providing inadequate or incorrect treatment.
- Failing to provide the proper aftercare instructions after treatment.
- Misdiagnosing a dental abscess as a less severe oral health condition.
If you believe you’ve undergone any of the forms of negligence detailed above, or your dental abscess was worsened due to your dentist’s negligence, it’s important to seek out prompt legal advice. A dental negligence solicitor can help you determine whether you have a case, as well as guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
How Can Our Team of Dental Negligence Solicitors Help You?
Hiring an expert dental negligence solicitor can:
- Help you assess the merits and details of your case.
- Gather any evidence needed, including your dental records and expert opinions.
- Help you negotiate appropriately with the dental practice, your dentist and their insurers.
- Represent you in court (if necessary – most cases are settled in the negotiations stage).
A dental negligence claim can help to compensate you for any suffering you’ve undergone, including physical dental injuries, emotional harm and financial losses.
Seek Professional Help from the Dental Law Partnership
So, are dental abscesses dangerous? Dental abscesses can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly and properly, so you should consult your dentist as soon as you discover an abscess has formed. If you suspect your dentist mishandled your abscess due to dental negligence, seeking legal advice may help you to understand your legal rights and pursue adequate compensation.
At the Dental Law Partnership, we’re a specialist firm of dental solicitors, helping all our clients through the dental negligence claims process. If you believe that your dentist has behaved negligently towards you and you’d like to make a claim, we’ll be happy to help.
Please contact us to start your claim – alternatively, you can request a callback from our dedicated team here.