An abcess is surely an infection which has actually caused a hole in the gum which fills with pus
you can have an infection without having an abcess.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 21 May 2012, 21:47, 2 replies, latest was 12 years ago)

SOMEONE TELL ME IF I'M JUST A WHINING MALINGERER!!!!!

( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Mon 21 May 2012, 21:51, Reply)

You are, but not because of this.

(Bazongaloid, Mon 21 May 2012, 21:52, Reply)

how?

(Phudbree oh man, the Doric Yorick, Mon 21 May 2012, 21:51, Reply)

Errrrrr, well let me think.
You probably had a slightly suppressed immune system and then maybe came into contact with someone who was carrying some kind of "bad" bacteria which made it's way into your mouth and possibly entered a small cut on your gum. The bacteria then multiplied and because of your compromised immune system got to the stage when the side effects of all the bacteria by products made you feel like shit.

Then, if you don't get that treated, the infection could develop further, your gum gets eaten away underneath the tooth and this hole is what is known as an "abcess".
(Bazongaloid, Mon 21 May 2012, 21:54, Reply)

Aye
and no.

First part shite. Nithin to do with compromised immune systems for the vast majority of folks. Much more likely that a stray food particle finds it's way under the gum, or into a hole in the tooth and leads to infection.
(Phudbree oh man, the Doric Yorick, Mon 21 May 2012, 22:03, Reply)

Do you not understand how questions and answers work?
You asked how you could get an infection without having an abcess. My explanation is a clear description of how that could happen. It wasn't a statement of how it always happens.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 21 May 2012, 22:07, Reply)

I understand
perfectly. Some of your answer was correct and could happen. Unlikely for the majority of the population, though.

I'm not having a go at ye, though.
(Phudbree oh man, the Doric Yorick, Mon 21 May 2012, 22:15, Reply)