Relationship between Lung and Tooth Abscess Assignment

Relationship between Lung and Tooth Abscess - Assignment Example If tooth decay is discovered early, cavities that could develop into abscesses can usually be treated. Since both diseases develop due to poor oral hygiene, practicing proper oral hygiene is the best way to prevent oneself from contaminating the abscesses. Avoiding cigarette and alcohol consumption not only serves as a prevention measure for a tooth abscess but also for a lung abscess. In ancient times, lung abscesses posed challenges to practitioners because of the long duration of the illnesses. A lung abscess was commonly associated with morbidity and mortality and supportive care was the major form of treatment. According to Ferri (2013), â€Å"a lung abscess is an infection of the lung parenchyma resulting in a necrotic cavity containing pus† (p. 9). In order to better comprehend this infectious disease of the respiratory tract, one needs to know the risk factors associated with the disease. Ferri’s (2012) study found the risk factors to be alcohol-related problems, seizure disorders, cerebrovascular disorders, drug abuse, poor oral hygiene and obstructive malignant lung diseases. According to Joiner, â€Å"a dental abscess develops when a pus-filled sac forms in the tissue at the root of a tooth† (2001, p. 348). It is known to bring intolerable pain to the affected. The tooth usually throbs and aches to make chewing or biting very painful. If one does not seek medical care, the infection spreads through the surrounding tissue and bone, causing the neck and face glands to become swollen. This is usually accompanied by a severe headache and fever, which are the common symptoms of infections. Joiner (2001) adds that the causes of a tooth abscess are bacteria accumulation in the deep pockets found between gums and teeth or infections on the roots of teeth. Numerous symptoms are observed in persons suffering from lung and tooth abscesses. These symptoms are usually prolonged occurring for weeks to months. For a  lung abscess, they include fever, chills and sweats, coughs, sputum production and amphoric breath sounds (Ferri, 2012).