Dental abscess: A potential cause of death and morbidity.

Background: Dental abscess as an end stage of dental disease is common in the community, and patients with dental abscesses are likely to seek care from their primary health provider. Once the infection has spread beyond the confines of the jaws, there is an increasing risk of airway obstruction and septicaemia. If treated with antibiotics alone, the infection will not resolve and will become progressively worse.