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A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in or around a tooth. This is a bacterial infection. The abscess can form at the tip of the tooth's root, or it can form in the gums next to the root. A dental abscess is a serious problem that will not get better on its own.
read more about dental abscess ...An abscess is caused by a bacterial infection. It often starts from an untreated dental cavity. An injury or crack in the tooth can also let bacteria get inside. The bacteria travel down to the root and pulp of the tooth. This creates an infection, and the body's attempt to fight it forms the pus-filled pocket.
The main symptom of an abscess is a severe, throbbing toothache. The pain is often constant and can be bad enough to wake you up at night. You may also have a fever, a bad taste in your mouth, swelling in your face or cheek, and find that the tooth is very painful to chew with.
A dentist must treat an abscess. They cannot be cured at home. The main goal is to drain the pus and get rid of the infection. Treatment often involves a root canal, where the dentist cleans out the infected pulp from inside the tooth. In some cases, the tooth may need to be pulled. Your dentist will also likely prescribe antibiotics to stop the infection.
Yes. If it is not treated, the infection from an abscess can spread. It can travel to your jaw, your neck, or even your brain. In rare cases, this widespread infection, called sepsis, can be life-threatening. This is why you must never ignore the symptoms of an abscess.
Will a dental abscess go away on its own?
No. An abscess will never heal by itself. The pain might stop if the infection kills the nerve in the tooth, but the infection is still there and will continue to spread and cause damage.
What happens if the abscess bursts?
If the abscess bursts, you may feel a sudden rush of salty, bad-tasting fluid in your mouth. The pain may get better, but you still have the infection. You must still go to a dentist right away.
Can I just take antibiotics?
Antibiotics will help stop the infection from spreading, but they cannot fix the source of the problem. The dentist must still drain the abscess and treat the infected tooth, or the abscess will come back.
You should see a dentist immediately if you have a severe, throbbing toothache or any other signs of an abscess. If you also have a fever, swelling in your face, and feel very unwell, you should go to an urgent care center or an emergency room. A dental abscess is a medical emergency and should be treated right away.