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Abscessed tooth

An abscessed tooth is a tooth that has a pocket of pus in the tissue next to it. This often occurs because the inside (pulp) of a tooth is infected and the bacteria spreads to the tissue underneath the tooth. An abscess usually causes throbbing pain in the tooth and red, swollen gums.

Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist
Last Updated March 20, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: March 20, 2009
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