Abscess Tooth - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment (Updated)

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Contents

Abscess Tooth is a painful condition that affects the teeth and gums. It is caused by an infection at the root of a tooth, which can be either bacterial or viral. Symptoms include severe pain in the affected area, swelling of the gum tissue and drainage of pus from the infected area. Treatment for abscess tooth includes antibiotics to fight off infection, draining the abscess and removal of any dead or decayed tissue.

In some cases, root canal therapy may also be necessary to prevent further damage to the affected tooth. If left untreated, abscess tooth can lead to sepsis, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Therefore, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as you experience any symptoms associated with this condition so that appropriate treatment can be administered.

Make no mistake about it an Abscessed tooth is a very serious matter. In fact, if you leave your tooth infection untreated for a long period of time it will actually kill you. Now, keep in mind that this is the worst-case scenario and most people with an abscessed tooth are smart enough to get it treated immediately. However, the last thing you want is an infected tooth to become so bad that it obstructs your airway and forces you to be intubated.

One thing that we do want to make clear is that this page is going to tell you everything you need to know and do to deal with an abscessed tooth. We thought that the best way to kick things off was to teach you what an abscessed tooth is (in case you have never heard the term.)

Abscess Tooth – What Is It?

An abscessed tooth is a severe infection that usually shows up on the root of the tooth or between the gum and the tooth. As stated above, if you discover that you have an abscessed tooth you need to get it treated immediately. This is not something to play around with because if you leave this problem untreated for a long period of time you could potentially die.

Causes

A number of things can cause an abscess tooth. We were kind enough to put the most common causes in a list for you below:

Tooth Decay (Usually Very Severe Tooth Decay.)
Bad Trauma To The Tooth (Examples: Being Hit With A Baseball, Falling Off A Bike.)
In Some Cases, A Tooth Can Be Susceptible To Infection After A Crown Or A Filling Has Been Put In.
Broken Or Chipped Teeth.
Gingivitis
Gum Disease

Symptoms

We are going to try to be as accurate as possible for you in this section. We know from interaction with our visitors that getting the symptoms of a certain problem right is extremely important. So here we go….

Abscess Tooth Can Sometimes Result In A Fever.
A Constant Toothache That Never Stops.
Sensitive Teeth.
Horrible Smelling Breath.
Severe Swelling.
A Bad Taste In Your Mouth.
Gum Drainage.
Gum Swelling.

Potential Complications

If you still aren’t getting the big point of this page (Abscessed Teeth Are EXTREMELY Serious.) Then we assure you that this section will alert you to the seriousness of the situation you may potentially be in. If an abscess tooth goes untreated it can develop into cellulitis which can potentially produce Ludwig’s Angina. Which if untreated can be….

LIFE-THREATENING!

What You Need To Do!

We highly recommend that you see a dentist as soon as humanly possible. If you call your regular dentist but they don’t have an open spot until next week DO NOT WAIT AROUND FOR THEM. It is their job to recognize the seriousness of your situation and cancel appointments to MAKE time for you.

Anyways, what you can do if your regular dentist won’t see you is to locate an emergency dentist on your own.

Abscess Tooth Treatment

How do you treat someone with an abscess tooth?

Believe it or not, this is a bit of a tricky question. You see, the answer revolves around a number of factors. Really the ultimate goal when it comes to the treatment of an abscessed tooth is to cure the infection and preserve the tooth. However, you can run into problems when the infection that a certain patient might have is so bad that there is no choice but to remove the tooth altogether.

Regardless, to eliminate the infection you will most likely have to undergo root canal therapy.

Afterward, your doctors will probably highly recommend that you take Advil or Motrin to relieve some of the pain you will be feeling.

FAQ

Can a tooth abscess go away on its own?

This kind of infection is called an abscessed tooth, or a periapical abscess. These infections don’t go away on their own, so it’s important to see your dentist if you think you have one. If it’s not treated, it can spread to your jaw or other areas of your head or neck.

How can I treat an abscessed tooth at home?

There’s no way to treat a gum abscess at home. To reduce pain and sensitivity until you see a dentist, rinse your mouth with warm salt water or take over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen to reduce inflammation

Is an abscessed tooth dangerous?

A periapical tooth abscess usually occurs as a result of an untreated dental cavity, an injury or prior dental work. Dentists will treat a tooth abscess by draining it and getting rid of the infection. Leaving a tooth abscess untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications

Will a tooth abscess go away with antibiotics?

Although antibiotics may help clear up a tooth infection, they are only one part of the solution. Most tooth infections require a dental procedure, such as a root canal or tooth extraction, to completely clear up. Prompt treatment is important to keep the infection from spreading

Is a gum abscess an emergency?

Tooth abscess is absolutely a dental emergency. If you have a tooth abscess, you need to seek treatment immediately. Left untreated, abscess can lead to infection that spreads through the body causing serious and even life-threatening effects. The sooner these issues are treated the better!

How long does a tooth abscess last?

It can take a few weeks for the tenderness and swelling to subside, so it is a good idea to keep taking approved painkillers. If you need stronger medication, because the pain is too intense, talk to your dentist. The average extraction takes around three to four weeks to fully heal.

What not to eat with an abscessed tooth?

Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after meals and snacks. Chew sugarless gum after meals and snacks. Limit foods that are sticky and high in sugar such as raisons. Also limit drinks high in sugar, such as soda

How do I know if my tooth abscess is spreading?

Signs of a tooth infection spreading to the body may include:

fever.
swelling.
dehydration.
increased heart rate.
increased breathing rate.
stomach pain.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are a vital component of modern medicine, and they have saved millions of lives since their discovery in the early 20th century. These medications work by attacking harmful bacteria in the body and preventing them from multiplying, allowing the immune system to eliminate the infection more effectively. There are several types of antibiotics, each with a unique mechanism of action that targets different types of bacteria.

One of the most significant challenges with antibiotics is the development of antibiotic resistance. This occurs when bacteria evolve and become resistant to the effects of antibiotics, making them less effective or completely ineffective against certain infections. Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern worldwide, and it can occur when antibiotics are overused or used improperly.

However, it’s important to note that antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, and they are not effective against viruses, such as those that cause the common cold or flu. This is why doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for these types of illnesses, as it leads to unnecessary use of these medications and increases the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.

Overall, antibiotics are a critical component of modern medicine, and they have revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections. However, it’s important to use these medications wisely and only when necessary to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance and preserve their effectiveness for future generations.

3 Comments

Jasper on 05/07/2021

Tooth Abscess?
Is it a disease? Tell me more about it please. Don’t tell me to go to the doctor. I want to know what it is before I go. Can I die from it?, etc…

PS. I had a tooth abscess for 7 years, and I didn’t know it was a problem til now.

- Dr. Marina Shraga on 05/07/2021
  
  Go to the dentist. He won’t do nothin’ ’til ya been on antibiotics for a week or so. Tell him it really hurts, get good pain killers. Save a couple for your next appointment, then take 2 with a beer, you’ll be OK!!!!
  
  Let me explain Tooth Abscess very simple.
  
  -It is not a disease is an infection, like when you get a cut in you finger and it get infected but this one is inside of your bone! And it is encapsulated in it. Usually the pus doesn’t have a way to get out and produce pain. It is not good to keep infection running in your body especially in you face, which is close to your brain, eyes and other important parts of your body. You don’t want to keep an infection in you finger, why keep one in your mouth?
  
  -Can I die from it? I read in school about people been killed by an abscess but it is very rare, to be honest have to be an extreme circumstances but how I don’t know and I think you don’t know you condition you better get some assistance from a dentist.
  
  -The most important reason is as much longer you keep the infection ruing you bone is getting thinner and thinner in the area where the abscess is located, usually is under a tooth. The restoration becomes more complicate depending of the conditions.
  
  I am trying to be simple and clear is possible but is more than that involving tooth abscess.
  
James on 09/24/2019

I’ve had pain in my gum area for months. Then the other day, I drank a cold beverage and had a crunchy salad. The pain from that stopped me in my tracks. Visited my dentist today and what do you know. I had a tooth abscess. Extraction was the only way out.