What You Need to Know About a Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is a rarity, and you may never experience one in your lifetime. While it isn’t common, it is important to treat it quickly if it does occur. Find out what you should be on the lookout for in the case of a tooth abscess and how to treat it.  

What is a tooth abscess?

A tooth abscess starts as a bacterial infection in your gums and eventually becomes a pocket of pus under a tooth. The tooth abscess starts at a central tooth but can spread further into the bone as well as other teeth. At first, the tooth abscess will appear as a red swollen bump, or even look like a pimple. 

What types of infections can lead to a tooth abscess?

Common tooth infections that lead to a tooth abscess are gingival, periapical and periodontal. 

• Gingival infection: An infection that forms in your gums. If it is not treated early, the infection can spread to your tooth.
• Periapical: A periapical infection starts at the bottom of your tooth root due to bacteria infecting the pulp. The infection can then spread to the root and lead to an abscess. 
• Periodontal: A periodontal abscess is most commonly due to gum disease. The infection that leads to an abscess starts in the bone and tissue around your teeth. 

What are the symptoms of a tooth abscess?

Symptoms of a tooth abscess include:

• Sharp or shooting pain at the location of the abscess.
• Throbbing at the site of the abscess.
• Pain when chewing where the abscess is.
• Jawbone, neck or ear pain that radiates starting at the abscess.

In addition to pain at or near the abscess, other symptoms you may notice with a tooth abscess are: 

• Bad breath
• Tooth sensitivity to the touch or hot and cold items
• Gums that are red or inflamed
• Open sore in your gums
• Fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes 

How is a tooth abscess diagnosed? 

A minor tooth abscess can be diagnosed simply by the dentist looking at it. To learn more about the severity of the abscess a dentist may suggest doing an x-ray. This can help a dentist learn if the abscess has spread. If the abscess has spread significantly, a CT scan might be necessary. 

What are the causes of a tooth abscess?

A tooth abscess most likely occurs due to poor oral hygiene. When teeth are not properly taken care of, bacteria can collect in your mouth in openings such as your tooth or gums and can eventually become infected. These openings can occur due to a cavity, broken or chipped tooth, or gum disease. 

Trauma to a tooth can also lead to an abscess by causing damage to the tooth’s pulp that might not be visible. But the injury makes it more likely that an abscess could occur.    

What is the treatment for a tooth abscess?

Depending on the severity of the infection and tooth abscess, it can be treated in multiple ways. 

• Drain the abscess: A dentist can put a small incision in the abscess to drain the pus. Once it is drained, it can be cleaned with saline. If necessary, a rubber drain can be used to help keep the area open for additional drainage. 
• Root canal: A root canal can remove the infection from the tooth and allow you to keep it. A root canal starts with a dentist drilling down into a tooth to remove the pulp and drain the abscess. The area is then sealed to protect the central tissues and root canals. A crown may be necessary for your tooth after the root canal to help strengthen it.  
• Tooth extraction: If the tooth with the abscess is too damaged to be fixed, a dentist may pull the tooth. They will then drain the abscess to get rid of the infection. 
• Antibiotics: A dentist may recommend antibiotics if the abscess has spread beyond one area. This will help prevent the abscess from continuing to spread and affecting more teeth. 

Are you concerned about a tooth abscess?

If you are experiencing signs of a tooth abscess, find a Fortson Dentistry location near you. It is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading further or leaving a tooth damaged beyond repair.