Emergency Treatment of a Gingival Abscess

Abscesses may occur either on the buccal or lingual side of the row of teeth. An abscess in the gingival region can be caused by: an acute inflammation in the dental pulp (see pulpitis and its complications ). an inflammation in a deep periodontal pocket. A general practitioner may initiate antimicrobial therapy.If the patient has general symptoms like fever and general feeling of malaise and/or fatigue, difficulties in swallowing or opening the mouth, or swelling of the neck, or if the patient is at high risk of infection he/she should be referred to a hospital. A dentist should then remove the infective tissue or bacterial plaque with curettes.