A dental problem can go from a minor issue to a major infection very quickly. A dental abscess is one of these fast-moving problems that needs immediate professional attention. For this reason, asking “how do I know if I have a dental abscess” is an urgent and important question. Let’s look at the clear signs that tell you it’s time to call a dentist right away.
What Exactly Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a small pocket of pus that is caused by a bacterial infection. It can show up in a couple of different places. Sometimes it forms at the very tip of a tooth’s root, and other times it can form in the gums right beside a tooth.
No matter where it is, an abscess is a serious infection. It will not get better or go away on its own, and always needs professional care from a dentist.
The team at Willowgreen Dental is here to provide safe, compassionate, and effective care.
How Do Dental Abscesses Happen?
An abscess happens when bacteria find a way deep inside a tooth or into the gums. The most common causes include:
An effective way to prevent these problems is with regular dental care, which is why we offer a wide range of comprehensive dental services.
7 Key Symptoms of a Dental Abscess
If you are worried you might have an abscess, look for these seven common signs.
1. Severe and Persistent Tooth Pain
- The pain is often a deep, throbbing tooth pain that doesn’t quit. It can be so intense that it’s hard to sleep.
- You might also feel the pain spreading to your jaw, neck, or ear. This level of discomfort is a major warning, and you can learn more about what to do for a severe toothache in our other guide.
2. Swelling in Your Face, Cheek, or Jaw
- As the infection gets worse, you might see noticeable swelling in your face or cheek.
- The swollen area might feel firm and be very sore if you touch it.
3. A Pimple-Like Bump on Your Gums
- You might see a small, pimple-like bump on your gums near the painful tooth. This is sometimes called a gum boil.
- This bump can break open and release pus, which causes a sudden bad taste and smell in your mouth.
4. Fever and Feeling Unwell
- A fever is a sure sign that your body is working hard to fight off an infection.
- Along with a fever, you might just feel sick, tired, and completely run-down.
5. Bad Taste or Bad Breath
- The pus from the infection has a very unpleasant taste and smell.
- You might notice a sudden salty, foul taste or have bad breath that won’t go away, even after brushing.
6. Sensitivity to Hot, Cold, and Pressure
- The infected tooth can become extremely sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks.
- It is also very common to feel a sharp pain when you bite down or chew.
7. Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Your body’s immune system is fighting the infection. You might feel tender, swollen lumps under your jaw or in your neck. These are your lymph nodes working overtime.
How We Treat a Dental Abscess
When you come to see us with an abscess, our goals are to get rid of the infection, drain the pus to relieve the pressure, and save your tooth if possible.
The most common way to save the tooth is with root canal therapy. This treatment cleans the infection from the inside of the tooth. If a tooth is too damaged, tooth extractions might be needed to remove the source of the infection and keep it from spreading.
When Is a Dental Abscess an Emergency?
Go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you have any of these signs:
For urgent dental pain that is not life-threatening, we offer emergency dentistry services to help you as quickly as possible.
Don’t Wait – A Dental Abscess Won’t Go Away on Its Own
Now that you can answer the question, “How do I know if I have a dental abscess?” the most important thing to do is take action. An abscess is a serious infection that needs to be treated by a professional.If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Contact us immediately to schedule an appointment.