A dental abscess is a pocket of infection, usually at the root of a tooth or in the gum. It will not go away without treatment, and the infection can spread, so it should be treated promptly.
Signs
- Severe, throbbing pain that may spread to the jaw, ear or neck
- Swelling in the face, cheek or gum
- A pimple-like bump on the gum, sometimes with a bad taste or salty fluid
- Sensitivity to hot, cold or pressure
- Fever and swollen glands under the jaw
Treatment
- Draining the infection and cleaning the area
- Treating the cause, with a root canal to save the tooth or an extraction if it cannot be saved
- Antibiotics, in some cases
- Follow-up to make sure healing is complete
Pain can suddenly ease if an abscess ruptures, but the infection is still there. You still need to be seen.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if
- You have swelling that is spreading, especially under the jaw or toward the eye or neck
- You have trouble breathing or swallowing
- You have a high fever or feel very unwell
Otherwise, call us right away. We accept emergency patients.