HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A TOOTH ABSCESS

How Do I Know If I Have a Tooth Abscess

A dental abscess can be a very painful problem that needs attention right away but how do you know if you have one? Our teeth have nerves running through them which is why a toothache can be so painful yet only affect one part of your mouth. If you have noticed a swelling along the gum line or changes in the color of the affected tooth, you might have a dental infection.

A tooth abscess is a pus filled pocket that is often visible on the surface of your gum tissue but may also lie beneath the surface near the route of your tooth. An abscess forms when a bacterial infection gets into the tooth and is left untreated. An abscess will only get worse without treatment so it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Left untreated, a tooth infection and a tooth abscess can lead to life-threatening conditions, especially if the infection spreads to your blood and other parts of your body.

Symptoms of Tooth Abscess

There are a few signs to look for if you believe that you have a dental abscess.

• Swelling of the face, jaw, gums, or surrounding lymph nodes
• A raised bump that looks like a pimple
• Change in tooth color
• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold, sugars, or acids
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that does not resolve with brushing
• Pain when using your jaw; throbbing in the area
• Headache, earache, or fever
• Drainage or leaking sore on the gum tissue

Treating a Tooth Abscess

If you notice symptoms of an abscess, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. It is possible for an abscess to rupture on its own which will lead to immediate relief of symptoms but an abscess will not heal without treatment. Your dentist will be able to direct a path of treatment to get rid of the abscess and hopefully, save your tooth. Some treatment options for an abscess include:

• Antibiotics: If the abscess and infection is relatively minor, a round of antibiotics may be able to eradicate the infection and prevent the abscess from progressing and spreading.
• Drain the abscess: Your dentist may be able to drain the abscess of the pus within the pocket which will involve making a small incision in the gum tissue.
• Root Canal Therapy: Some dentists have the tools and expertise to perform a root canal in their office. If not, they will refer you to an endodontist. A root canal procedure involves drilling an access hole in the affected tooth to clear out the infected pulp within the tooth canals to remove infection and save the tooth.
• Extraction: If other treatment options do not work, your tooth may have to come out. Extraction is the last resort so you may endure some of the above treatments before the tooth is extracted. After extraction, you may consider having an implant placed.

An abscess will not heal itself so it is very important to see your dentist as soon as you notice symptoms. Having the abscess addressed right away will help prevent the spread of infection and possible tooth loss.

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