A tooth abscess is a pus collection from a bacterial infection at the tooth root or under the gum. It is a serious condition — the infection has already breached natural defenses and can cause systemic complications. An abscess requires urgent treatment.
Types
- Periapical — at the root tip, usually from necrotic pulp
- Periodontal — in a periodontal pocket, from deep periodontitis
- Gingival — at gum level
Symptoms
- Severe, throbbing, persistent tooth pain
- Marked sensitivity to hot and cold
- Pain on biting
- Gum swelling and redness
- Pus from the gum (sometimes draining into the mouth)
- Facial swelling — cheek, jaw, under the eye
- Enlarged neck lymph nodes
- Fever, general weakness
- Bad taste in the mouth
Why it is dangerous
Without treatment the infection can spread:
- To soft tissues — facial and neck cellulitis
- To sinuses — sinusitis
- To bone marrow — osteomyelitis
- Rarely — to brain, heart valves, sepsis
Home first aid
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Cold compress on the cheek
- OTC painkiller (ibuprofen)
- Lie with head elevated — reduces throbbing
- Do not apply warm compresses — they worsen inflammation
- Do not try to drain the abscess yourself
Professional treatment
- X-ray — locate the infection source
- Drain the pus — for superficial abscesses
- Root canal — if the tooth can be saved
- Tooth extraction — if restoration is impossible
- Antibiotic therapy — for systemic symptoms or spreading infection
- Restoration — crown, bridge or implant
When "urgent" is really urgent
Any of these — see a dentist the same day:
- Growing swelling of face or neck
- Fever above 38°C
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Inability to open the mouth
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