What is gum boil?
What is gum boil?
Gum boil, known medically as Parulus is defined as a drainage point for abscessed teeth. This is a dental infection that occurs around the root of the tooth. It can be caused by a number of reasons, the most common among them being tooth decay, gum infections or a failed root canal. Gum boil appears as a small red bulging in the gum which when pressed drains out pus or occasionally blood. This condition is very painful and may also cause fever, swelling of the face and earache. The patient may experience a foul salty taste in his mouth and bad breath due to the pus draining out.
Causes of gum boils
One of the main reasons of gum boil is tooth decay. Tooth decay causes the nerves to die and these dead nerves cause infection. As a defense mechanism against the infection, the body produces more white blood corpuscles to get rid of the toxins in the affected area. When the white blood corpuscles die off, their remains accumulate and they form an abscess.
Another cause of gum boil is gingival abscess, which is painful swelling of the gum caused by infection of bacteria that enter the gum possibly through an injury caused in the gum. The infection may sometimes spread to surrounding tissues and if not treated properly may lead to long term complications.
Gum boils can also be caused by weak immune system.
Symptoms of gum boils
Following are the symptoms associated with gum boils
Tooth ache
Nausea
Fever
Mild to extreme Pain
Bad breath
Swelling of mouth or face
Swelling of glands
Ear ache
Diarrhea
Prevention of gum boils
Most gum diseases are caused by improper dental hygiene which leads to the buildup of bacteria and plaque. Gum boils can be prevented to a great extent by taking proper care of your teeth strictly on a daily basis.
Even though we brush our teeth daily, it is important to do it the right way. A minimum of at least two minutes should be spent to brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste. Also make it a habit to brush your teeth twice daily, in the morning and at bedtime. Nighttime brushing is a must, because it is at this time that the bacteria grow in large numbers increasing the risk of gum diseases. Apart from brushing dental flossing, at least once a day can keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Using an antibacterial mouthwash to rinse your mouth will help to remove any food particles or plaque that might be present in the teeth.
Maintaining a proper diet rich in nutrients will keep your teeth healthy and strong. Smoking, consuming food and drinks that contains high sugar content are a few things to be avoided to prevent gum diseases.
Last, but not least, it is highly essential to visit your dentist once in every six months for a thorough check up and cleaning of your teeth.