Dental abscess is collection of pus in the tooth following any infection, and it can be within the tooth in the roots, near the gums, or in the alveolar bone which surrounds the tooth.

Causes:

1. Tooth decay – Tooth decay can be some infection due to micro organisms, which can decay the internal parts of the tooth like pulp, root etc. This tooth decay can be only within the tooth, or sometimes can spread to the underlying tissues like Gingiva, or the surrounding bone.
2. Foreign body – Any foreign body like food particles or bacteria which are trapped in the tissues can cause infection.
3. Injury – Trauma, means sudden injury to the tooth can cause dental abscess formation.

Symptoms:

1. Stimulated or non-stimulated pain. You feel pain sometimes when you are chewing food or sometimes when at rest.
2. Redness in the tissue where infection has occurred and accumulation of pus has occurred.
3. Foul tasting discharge within the mouth from the place where infection has occurred.
4. Rise of temperature at that particular place.
5. Foul breath.

Treatment of Dental Abscess:
Treatment of the abscess includes the removal of the source, then the reduction of symptoms. First, there should be drainage of the pus collected. If there is pus within the tooth in the roots, then Root canal treatment has to be done. And if its in the surrounding tissues, then incising and drainage of the pus should be done.
Antibiotics are administered for removal and destroying of bacteria that caused the infection, and Pain relievers/analgesics are administered for relief of pain due to the infection and inflammation.

Prevention:
There is no preventive measure as no one can be sure when the infection can occur, or injury. But still, its always advised to maintain good dental habits.