2.  At Harbor Pointe Dental of Petoskey, Dr. David
Ellsworth offers preventative services and
treatment for a variety of oral health concerns.
Harbor Pointe Dental of Petoskey welcomes
patients with tooth abscesses and provides
education on the topic via its website as well.
A tooth abscess, defined as an infection at the
gum line or root of a tooth, most commonly
arises as a result of tooth decay, gum disease,
or injury. The infection enters when either
disease or trauma leaves a hole in the tooth
enamel, which in turn allows bacteria to infect
the tooth's internal structure.

3.  These infections then cause severe and consistent
pain in the affected tooth, as well as potential fever
or swelling of the gums, jaw, and neck glands.
To treat an abscess, a dentist may administer
antibiotics to stop the infection. Some abscesses may
require drainage, which in many cases can be done
with a simple incision in the gum line. More severe
abscesses may require a root canal to drain the
infection and remove diseased tissue or bone
structure. In some cases, the dentist may need to
extract the tooth to stop the spread of infection and
preserve surrounding teeth.