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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
A tooth abscess occurs when bacteria invade the dental pulp — the soft, innermost part of the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue.
Bacteria enter through either a dental cavity or a chip or crack in the tooth and spread all the way down to the root. The bacterial infection causes swelling and inflammation. The tight space within which the inflammation occurs forces pus into a pocket (abscess) at the tip of the root.
- Robertson D, et al. The microbiology of the acute dental abscess. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2009;58:155.
- Chow AW. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of odontogenic infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Chow AW. Complications, diagnosis, and treatment of odontogenic infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Cleaning your teeth and gums. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3072.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Nguyen DH, et al. Common dental infections in the primary care setting. American Family Physician. 2008;77:797.
- Endodontic treatment (root canal treatment). American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2890.aspx?currentTab=1#. Accessed May 23, 2010.
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