What a tooth abscess is
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can form at the tip of a tooth root or in the gum beside it. It will not go away on its own, and it needs treatment from a dentist.
Mayo Clinic describes two common types. A periapical abscess forms at the tip of the root, usually after a deep cavity, an injury or earlier dental work lets bacteria reach the nerve. A periodontal abscess forms in the gums beside a tooth, often in someone who has gum disease. Both can hurt a lot, and both can spread.
Abscesses are common. A deep cavity is the usual start, but a cracked tooth, a worn-out filling or a gum pocket can each give bacteria a path inside. Once the bacteria reach the pulp, which is the soft center of the tooth, they multiply. The body sends white blood cells, and pus is the result.
Symptoms to watch for
The most common sign is a throbbing toothache that can spread to your jaw, neck or ear. Other symptoms often show up with it:
- Pain when you chew or bite
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- A bad taste in your mouth or bad breath
- Swelling in your face, cheek or glands in your neck
- A pimple-like bump on the gum
- Fever
- Tender, swollen, red gums
Why the pain can suddenly stop
If the abscess bursts, you may get a rush of foul, salty fluid and the pain eases. Many people think that means they are healed. They are not. The infection is still there, and the pocket will fill again.
The same thing can happen when the nerve inside the tooth dies. The throbbing fades, but the infection keeps working at the bone. This is why a toothache that suddenly stops is not a reason to cancel your appointment.
Some abscesses have no pain at all. You might notice only a small bump on the gum, a salty taste, or bad breath that mouthwash does not fix. Dentists call this a chronic abscess. It can sit quietly for months, and a dental X-ray often finds it before you feel it. This is one more reason to keep regular exams.
When an abscess is an emergency
Mayo Clinic says to go to an emergency room if you have a fever and swelling in your face and you cannot reach your dentist. Go to the ER, or call 911, if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. Those signs can mean the infection is spreading into your jaw, throat or neck, or even to other parts of the body.
DentaQuest, a dental benefits company, adds that a fever over 101 degrees is a reason to get care right away. The American Dental Association also treats facial swelling that could affect your airway as a true emergency. If you are not sure, call. It is better to ask than to wait.
People with diabetes, a weak immune system, a heart condition or an artificial joint or valve may face more risk from any infection. If this is you, call the dentist and your doctor at the first sign of an abscess. Do not wait for the pain to get strong.
If you are pregnant, you can and should get treatment for an abscess. Tell your dentist how far along you are, and they will choose treatments that are safe for you and your baby.
How dentists treat an abscess
Antibiotics can calm an infection, but they do not remove the source. The tooth itself needs treatment, and your dentist has a few ways to do it.
The most common choice is a root canal. The dentist numbs the tooth, cleans out the infected nerve and seals the inside. Then a crown usually goes on top. Root canals have a bad reputation, but with modern numbing most patients say the pain after is milder than the toothache they had before.
If the tooth is too damaged to save, the dentist will take it out and drain the infection. In some cases the dentist makes a small cut in the gum to let the pus drain. You may also get antibiotics if the infection has spread or if you have other health risks. After treatment, you can talk about options to replace the tooth if you lost one.
Recovery from a root canal is usually quick. Many people go back to work the next day. You may have some soreness for a few days, which an over-the-counter pain reliever can handle. Follow your dentist's directions on antibiotics and take all of the doses.
After the infection is gone, the tooth still needs a strong cover. Most root canal teeth get a crown, because a tooth without a nerve can become brittle.
What not to do
Do not try to pop or drain an abscess yourself. You can push bacteria deeper. Do not put aspirin on your gum, and do not use leftover antibiotics from an old prescription. Taking the wrong drug, or taking too little, can leave you with a stronger infection.
Rinsing with warm salt water, using a cold pack outside your cheek and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can ease the pain while you wait for your visit. These are only to get you to the chair.
Be careful with natural remedies you find online. Warm salt water is fine. Clove oil on a cotton ball can numb a spot for a short time. But garlic, essential oils, baking soda pastes and similar remedies do not remove an infection, and some can burn the gum.
How to lower your risk
Most abscesses start from a cavity or gum disease that went untreated. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. See your dentist for checkups and cleanings, so small cavities are fixed before they get close to the nerve. If you have a tooth that is chipped or cracked, have it checked. Bacteria can use a small opening as a doorway.
If you have a health problem like diabetes, tell your dentist. Infections can be harder to fight when blood sugar is high.
Pay attention to early signs: a pimple on the gum, tooth pain that lingers after a hot or cold drink, or a tooth that feels higher than the rest. Any of these is a reason to call. A visit now is usually a smaller, quicker fix than one after weeks of infection.
Remember that you are not alone in this. Many people avoid the dentist because of fear or cost. Tell the office about it. We can talk about how to make the visit comfortable and how to fit the treatment into your budget.
Children can get abscesses too, and they may not say it hurts. Look for a swollen gum, a fever, a child who stops eating on one side or a bump near a tooth. Call a dentist if you see these.
Abscess care at KDA
If you think you have an abscess, call us today. Do not wait for it to get worse.
KDA lists emergency care 24/7. If you are in pain, call us at 305-271-1421 and tell us what is going on. Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and we are closed Saturday and Sunday.
You will find us at 8833 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33176, in the Kendall Mall. We have served South Florida since 1973. We take digital X-rays and 3D scans in the office, so we can see what is wrong the same visit. We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, and financing is available.
Free X-ray, exam and consultation. New Patient Special. New patients only.
The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to any advertisement for the free, discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination or treatment. D0191, C6182
Common questions
Can a tooth abscess go away on its own?
No. The pain may ease if it drains, but the infection stays. You still need treatment.
Will antibiotics cure an abscess?
Antibiotics help control the infection, but your dentist still has to treat the tooth, usually with a root canal or by taking it out.
How fast can an abscess spread?
It can spread in days. Facial swelling, fever or trouble swallowing mean you should seek care right away.
What does an abscess look like?
You may see a swollen, red bump on the gum, sometimes with a pimple-like spot. Some abscesses are not visible.
Is a tooth abscess an emergency?
It can be. Go to the ER for trouble breathing or swallowing, or fever with swelling when you cannot reach a dentist.
Can I take leftover antibiotics?
No. Use only what a doctor or dentist prescribes for this problem.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: mayoclinic.org, dentaquest.com, dentalcompare.com.