Source of infection 1. Often the infection is of dental or glandular origin spread. 2. Mostly a mixed infection of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Infection process The initial manifestation is cellulitis, then abscess formation. Clinical manifestations Cellulitis: redness, swelling, heat, pain and dysfunction. Abscess: local throbbing pain and fluctuating sensation. Treatment principles Acute phase, cellulitis phase: systemic anti-inflammatory treatment, application of antibiotics and drugs for anaerobic bacteria, such as metronidazole drugs. Abscess formation phase: incision and drainage, daily local drug changes, together with systemic anti-inflammatory treatment. Chronic phase: treatment of the primary disease, such as treatment of the tooth from which the inflammation originated.