A tooth abscess is a serious dental concern that comes along with a number of implications, with tooth loss being a common concern. It can also produce a severe infection. In extreme cases, a tooth abscess can produce an infection that spreads all the way to the brain, introducing the risk of vision changes, decreased muscle function and speech difficulty. If you follow a poor diet or suffer from a weakened immune system, you are at an increased risk of dealing with this concern.

Poor Diet

Tooth decay is a significant cause for tooth abscesses. A leading cause of decay is eating a diet that is high in sugary foods, such as candy and soda. Each person's mouth naturally has bacteria inside it, most of which isn't harmful. But the problem comes about when the bacteria starts to feed off the sugar in the foods you eat. This in turn releases acids that attack the teeth and cause decay.

Foods that contain high-levels of carbohydrates, like pretzels, potatoes and bread, can also have a similar effect. The best way to lower your risk in this case is to minimize the number of sugary and high-carbohydrate containing foods you consume. In addition to consuming these foods in moderation, it's best to brush your teeth immediately after consuming these selections to help lower your risk.

Weakened Immune System

The infection of a tooth can occur when an excessive amount of plaque penetrates through the tiny holes on the outer layers of a tooth, into a space in the center of a tooth known as the pulp. For a person with a healthy immune system, their body can generally fight off this concern and avoid an infection. However, people with a weakened immune system can't do so as easily, increasing their risk of infection and an abscess.

For individuals who fall in this category, even a small buildup of plaque introduces the risk of an infection. Diabetes and HIV are just two of the medical conditions that generally fall in this category. If you suffer from these conditions, you will need to take a more aggressive approach towards your oral hygiene than an otherwise healthy person. Additionally, visiting your dental provider more frequently for exams is also encouraged.

Make sure you are keeping good oral care a priority every day. In the event you are plagued with an abscess, making sure you receive prompt dental treatment is important to lessening its effects. So if you think you have an abscess, contact a dental clinic, such as Pine Lake Dental Group, right away.