Dental health is a critical aspect of your overall well-being, yet many people still overlook the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene habits until a problem arises. At this stage, it may be too late to completely eradicate the issue, although this is highly dependent on the oral health condition you have.

One of the most painful and distressing oral health issues that can arise is a dental abscess, which is usually formed as a result of a dental infection. Understanding what causes a dental abscess is the best way to find out how to prevent and treat the infection.

Here, we’ll dive deep into the various factors that contribute to the causes of a dental abscess, as well as the symptoms to watch out for, and the importance of seeking out professional care from your dentist.

As one of the UK’s leading specialist dental negligence solicitors, our expert firm is ready and waiting to help you with any dental negligence enquiries. We can start a dental claim for you now – just get in touch with us at 0800 152 2031 to find out more.

Understanding Dental Abscesses: What Exactly Are They?

Before diving further into what causes dental abscesses, it’s important to learn exactly what they are first.

Essentially, a dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms when you have a bacterial infection in your mouth (usually in either your teeth or your gums). Abscesses can also appear in different parts of your teeth, and there are several different types of abscesses that can form in your mouth.

There are three main types of dental abscess that we will focus on in this blog, which are:

Periapical abscesses: Periapical abscesses usually occur at the tip of the tooth’s root. They typically form as the result of an untreated dental cavity (usually caused by tooth decay) or a dental injury, but they can also occur as a result of poor dental work.

Periodontal abscesses: Periodontal abscesses form in the gums next to a tooth root – they can also spread to the surrounding tissue and bone.

Gingival abscesses: Gingival abscesses are confined to the gum tissue and do not affect the tooth or the periodontal ligament.

Each type of abscess has a range of different risk factors, but they all share a common feature of being particularly painful and potentially dangerous if left untreated. If you believe you have a dental abscess, we would recommend speaking to your dentist as soon as possible to get the issue resolved.

What Causes a Dental Abscess?

Understanding what causes dental abscesses is a crucial part of preventing them from developing. However, abscess causes can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of abscess that has formed. For example, a gingival abscess may result from different factors when compared to a periapical abscess.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common causes of dental abscesses and infections, to help you better understand and reduce the risk of these oral health issues. By following our advice, you can hopefully take proactive steps to protect your oral health and wellbeing, whilst also minimising the chances of an abscess forming in your mouth.

Poor Oral Hygiene Practices

One of the primary causes of dental abscesses (and most other oral health conditions) is poor oral hygiene habits and practices. You should brush your teeth twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening), as well as flossing everyday to remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth.

Technically, plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not cleaned off properly – both of these conditions can result in dental abscesses forming. Failing to brush and floss regularly allows this plaque and bacteria to build up on the teeth and gums. If plaque is not removed, it turns into a hard substance called tartar, which can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.

This is why it’s so important to brush and floss your teeth every day, as a good oral hygiene routine will help prevent any plaque from turning into tartar.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is another leading cause of dental abscesses in the UK.

When tooth decay is left untreated, it can penetrate deep into your teeth, eventually reaching the pulp where the nerves and blood vessels are located. Once the decay has reached this area, and bacteria get inside your teeth, it can lead to an increased risk of dental infection and the formation of an abscess.

Gum Disease

Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease in its latter stages), is an infection of the gum tissues that hold your teeth in place. Gum disease is typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits, enabling plaque to build up and harden into tartar.

Gum disease is a common oral health condition in the UK, with most people encountering some form of the disease in their lifetime. The bacteria in plaque and tartar inflames and irritates the gums – advanced stages of the condition can lead to periodontal abscesses and tooth loss.

Over the past 3 years we have helped hundreds of clients secure compensation for avoidable damage due to dental negligence in treating periodontal disease, amounting to over 2 million pounds. In 2024, our client Josephine O’Connor was awarded £18,000 in compensation in an out-of-court settlement after she lost five teeth due to her dentist failing to diagnose and treat gum disease.

Dental Trauma

Another common cause of dental abscesses is dental trauma. Dental trauma is a term that encompasses many different dental injuries and conditions. The damage to your teeth provides an easy entry point for bacteria to infect the pulp, which can lead to abscess formation.

For instance, if you have a tooth that has become damaged due to trauma (such as a cracked or chipped tooth), the bacteria can enter the enamel through the hole and cause an abscess.

Having a Weakened Immune System

Another major factor that can lead to an increase in dental infections and abscesses is having a weakened immune system. Older people and very young people tend to have weaker immune systems than healthy adults – people who smoke, have a poor diet and drink excessive amounts of alcohol may also be more at risk.

Eating a poor diet that is high in sugar and carbohydrates can contribute significantly to tooth decay and gum disease, as the bacteria thrive on sugar. The bacteria produces a series of acids that erode your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay and a higher chance of infections and abscesses.

Individuals with weakened immune systems are much more susceptible to infections and dental abscesses. Debilitating health conditions such as diabetes, mouth cancer and HIV/AIDS can also compromise the body’s ability to fight off infections, increasing your chances of abscesses forming.

Dry Mouth

Saliva is extremely important in maintaining your oral health, as it washes away food particles and neutralises acids produced by bacteria in your mouth.

The opposite is also true – having a dry mouth (which is often caused by certain medications or medical conditions) can increase the risk of both tooth decay and gum disease, which may lead to an increase in dental abscesses.

Previous Dental Work

In some situations, you may find that previous dental work you’ve undergone has led to an abscess forming near the treatment site. For example, if you’ve had a poorly fitted filling or badly designed crown, gaps may have been left in your mouth around teeth. These gaps may allow unwanted bacteria to enter your teeth and cause dental infections.

If something like this has happened to you, it may constitute dental negligence and you may be able to pursue a dental negligence claim against your dentist.

In these situations, we may be able to help you sue your dentist – please get in touch with our expert team to find out more about the claims process.

What Are the Main Symptoms of a Dental Abscess?

Recognising the main symptoms of a dental abscess is crucial for seeking timely treatment for the condition. Every situation is different, but the most common symptoms of an abscess include:

A severe and persistent throbbing tooth pain that may radiate to the jawbone, neck or ears

Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures

Increased pressure and pain when eating and speaking

Fever and inflammation

Swelling in your face or cheek

The lymph nodes in your jaw or neck may appear tender and swollen

Bad breath (also known as halitosis)

Foul-smelling and foul-tasting fluid in your mouth (if the abscess bursts)

If you have experienced any of these symptoms or you can feel an abscess in your mouth, it’s important to visit your dentist or a qualified dental professional as soon as possible to get the condition diagnosed.

How to Prevent Dental Abscesses from Forming

If you want to reduce your chances of developing an abscess, there are some steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of encountering such an infection.

Here are our top tips for preventing abscesses and oral infections:

Brush and floss regularly: For good teeth health, we recommend creating a daily oral hygiene routine. This procedure should include brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day.

Limit sugary food and drink: Sugary food and drink should be limited, as they can contribute to conditions like tooth decay and gingivitis, as well as adding more plaque to your teeth.

Stay hydrated: It’s important to ensure you drink enough water every day for your overall health, and it will also help to wash away food particles and bacteria.

Visit your dentist regularly: You should also ensure you attend your regular dental checkups when required. You may not need to go every six months (some people have an appointment once a year), but it’s worth asking your dentist how often they recommend you make an appointment and why.

Avoid tobacco and alcohol products: Tobacco and alcohol products can be extremely harmful to your overall health, as well as your oral health. Quitting smoking and consuming less alcohol can reduce the risk of dental infections and abscesses forming.

If in doubt, we recommend speaking to your dentist to see if they have any specific recommendations for your oral health.

Treatment Options for the Causes of Dental Abscesses

If you suspect you have a dental abscess, it’s likely you’ll want to learn how to get rid of both the abscess and the underlying infection. In these situations, it’s important to seek out prompt treatment from a dentist as soon as possible.

Current treatment options for dental abscesses include:

Draining the abscess: If there is a discrete swelling which can be accessed, the first thing your dentist should do is make a small incision in the abscess to drain out the pus, which should provide immediate relief from the pain and pressure.
Root canal treatment: Root canal procedures are commonly used to save your tooth by removing the infected pulp. The infected pulp chamber inside the tooth and root canals should also be cleaned before a root canal filling is placed in the affected area and the tooth is sealed.
Tooth extraction: If your tooth has become severely damaged and cannot be saved, you may need to undergo a tooth extraction procedure.
Antibiotics: If the infection has spread or if you have a weakened immune system, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
Pain relief: Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or paracetamol) can help manage your pain and reduce inflammation.

It’s important to note that in most of these circumstances, your dentist will still need to drain the pus from the abscess, even if you’re having another form of treatment carried out. This is because the fluid in the abscess contains bacteria that can still pose a risk to your health, so it’s crucial that these are removed as a preventative measure.

Dental Negligence and Abscesses: A Serious Concern

Dental negligence is usually thought to occur when a dental professional fails to provide an acceptable standard of care, leading to harm or a dental injury.

One common consequence of dental negligence is the development of dental abscesses, which can be extremely painful infections. Abscesses can result from things such as untreated dental cavities, gum disease, or improper dental procedures, such as poorly performed root canals or fillings. If left untreated, dental abscesses can lead to severe complications, including the spread of infection to other parts of the body, bone loss, or even life-threatening conditions like sepsis.

Patients who experience dental negligence may be entitled to compensation for their pain, suffering, and additional treatment costs. If you suspect negligence has occurred, or you experience increased pain after dental work, you may want to get a second opinion from another dental professional. Alternatively, you can contact an expert dental negligence solicitor to open a claim against your dentist.

Stay Informed and Healthy with The Dental Law Partnership

Understanding what causes a dental abscess is crucial for prevention and timely treatment, potentially helping you to avoid a significant amount of pain and discomfort.

Poor oral hygiene habits, tooth decay, gum disease, tooth trauma, a weakened immune system, dry mouth, poor diet and negligent dental work are all common causes of dental abscesses. If you recognise the signs of a dental abscess, it’s important that you seek out help from your dentist as soon as possible, hopefully helping you to avoid any serious complications.

If you believe your abscess may be the result of dental negligence, you may want to consider following the dental negligence claims process. At the Dental Law Partnership, our expert clinical team is made up of both dentists and solicitors, giving us the knowledge and experience needed to successfully sue your dentist on your behalf.

If you’d like to get started with your dental claim, there’s no time like the present – please make an enquiry with our team or request a callback today.

What Causes Dental Abscesses?