An
abscessed tooth is a tooth that has a pocket of pus in the tissue next to it. This often
occurs because the inside (pulp) of a tooth is infected and the bacteria spread
to the tissue underneath the tooth. An abscess usually causes throbbing pain in
the tooth and red, swollen gums.
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Steven K. Patterson, BS, DDS, MPH - Dentistry |
|
Last Revised
|
June 14, 2011 |