Tooth Abscess

What are symptoms of a tooth abscess?

Tooth abscesses can come with a variety of symptoms, such as:

• Severe toothache
• Temperature sensitivity
• Pain caused by pressure, such as chewing
• Bad-breath
• Swollen gum and/or jaw
• Fever
• Bitter or foul taste in the mouth

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, request an appointment today to get prompt and proper care.

How is a tooth abscess treated?

• Draining the pus is an effective method to treat an abscess. This is done by cutting a small incision in the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out. Draining the abscess will help, if present, with swelling.
• Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection. Antibiotics may not always be necessary if the infection is located only in the abscessed area. However, if the infection has spread into neighboring teeth, antibiotics may be prescribed to stop further spreading.
• To save the tooth and eliminate infection, a root canal may be performed. A root canal will include draining the pus from the tooth and adding filling to replace the tooth’s pulp. Commonly a dental crown is used to protect and strengthen the tooth after the root canal.
• Lastly, if the infection in the tooth is too severe, the affected tooth may need to be extracted. This removal of the decayed tooth leads to the drainage of the infection. Depending on the situation, a dental implant could later be used to replace the missing tooth.

What happens if a tooth abscess is left untreated?

If left untreated, an infection from a tooth abscess can spread throughout the mouth. The spreading infection can impact the jaw and soft tissues of the face. In severe cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the head, the neck, and even throughout the body.

How to drain a tooth abscess at home?

Trying to drain a tooth abscess may seem like a good idea for quick relief, but it will lead to more issues. The most helpful at-home remedies to do are to take over-the-counter pain medication and do a warm salt water rinse. Please request an appointment to receive proper care for your tooth abscess.