Can abscess infect upper jaw bone?

Answer 1

Yes, an abscess can affect the upper jaw bone (maxilla) just like how it can affect the lower jaw (mandible). Usually it is the teeth that get infected and the infection travels up the root till it reaches the tip and there the infection thrives and grows into an abscess.

Teeth most often get infected by bacteria that cause a cavity, the bacteria form plaque that allows them to stick to the teeth, they then feed on the simple carbs we eat especially sugar, they give off a byproduct of their meal which is an acid and the acid starts to eat away at the tooth.

The acid breaks through the first layer which is the strongest and is called enamel it then makes it way into the second layer which is softer called the dentin; by now the teeth are usually sensitive to cold things and sweets the cavity, if not cleaned out and filled by the dentist will continue to grow deeper into the tooth until it gets to the pulp (the nerve and blood supply) of the tooth.

At this point the bacteria and acid that they give off start to kill the nerve causing a lot of pain especially to hot and cold. If no treatment is given then the bacteria travel throught the root to the apex, i.e. the tip of the root and multiply and thrive with the blood supply in the jaw bone. But by now the infection can grow relatively quickly it eats away at the bone and once it has eaten out of the bone it can explode very quickly into the softer tissues e.g the cheeks, this is why people with a toothache can wake up with a big swollen face the next day.