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Dental Abscess
Medical Author: Todd C. Snyder, DDS
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

 Facts on Dental Abscess 

 What Causes Dental Abscesses?
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 What Are the Symptoms and Signs of a Dental Abscess?

 Facts
 When on
Should YouDental
See a DoctorAbscess
about Dental Abscesses?

 How Are Dental Abscesses Diagnosed?

 Are there Home Remedies for Dental Abscesses?

 What Is the Treatment for Dental Abscesses?

 What Is the Followup for a Dental Abscess?

 What Is the Prognosis for Dental Abscesses?

1. 24 Hour Emergency Dental Care
 How Do You Prevent a Dental Abscess?

2. Tooth Abscess Remedies

3. Dental Treatment

Facts on Dental Abscess

4. Gum Abscess Symptoms

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A dental abscess is an infection of the mouth, face, jaw, or throat that begins as a tooth
infection. The original cause may be from a deep cavity, periodontal (gum) disease, a
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cracked tooth, trauma, or sometimes even due to recent dental procedures such as
extractions and implants. Most infections are more likely to have been caused by poor
dental health and can result from lack of proper and timely dental care. They can also ADHD in Children
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occur from previously performed dental procedures as they get older and start to leak and
fail. People with underlying medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders (Sjögren's
syndrome and similar conditions) or conditions that weaken the immune system (diabetes,
post-radiation/chemotherapy cancer care, or people taking immunosuppressive therapy) Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
may be more susceptible to developing a dental abscess. Heart Symptoms, Diagnosis, and
Treatment

In an abscess, bacteria from the tooth can extend into the gums, the cheek, the
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throat, the tissues beneath the tongue, or even into the jaw or facial bones. A dental Symptoms, Diagnosis and
Treatment
abscess can become very painful when tissues become inflamed or due to the

pressure within the abscess. A gum or gingival abscess is the result of infection or

trauma to the surface of the gum tissue. Periodontal abscesses are the result of an

infection that has moved deeper into gum areas (on the outside surfaces of a tooth),

and a periapical abscess refers to a tooth with an infection of the dental pulp

(starting inside a tooth).

Pus often collects at the site of the infection as the immune system tries to keep the

infection from spreading. Pain may not always be present. The condition will often

become progressively more painful until the abscess either ruptures and drains on

its own or is drained surgically.

In extreme cases, a dental abscess can result in death if it spreads to the brain,

causes septicemia (infection of the bloodstream), or if swelling obstructs the airway

and compromises breathing. Dental abscesses can also make one generally ill, with

nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, and sweats.

What Causes Dental Abscesses?

The cause of these infections is a direct growth of bacteria from within the pulp spaces of
a tooth (endodontic) or on the deep root surfaces of a tooth (periodontal) into the
supporting soft tissues and bones of the face and neck.

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What Are the Symptoms and Signs of a Dental

Abscess?

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Symptoms of a dental abscess typically include

pain,

swelling,

redness of the mouth and face.

Often one or more teeth will be very sensitive to pressure. With an advanced infection,
one can experience other complications such as:

nausea,

vomiting,

fever,

chills, and

difficulty swallowing, opening the mouth, or breathing.

If it remains untreated long enough, the infection can spread through the bone and
damage adjacent teeth, which would require additional treatment.

The signs often found in conjunction with a dental abscess may include, but are not limited
to:

deep cavities,

gum inflammation,

oral or facial swelling,

tenderness with touch,

pus drainage, and

sometimes limited ability to open the mouth (difficulty or pain upon opening the

mouth very wide or when swallowing).

If the abscess has spread to a superficial area, there is typically tenderness to palpation
(touch) of the infected area. Dental abscesses may range from mild to severe. They may
be associated with no symptoms or with severe symptoms. Depending on a number of
factors, the abscess may range from chronic to acute, and stable (not changing) to rapidly
spreading. The infection can in some cases spread beyond the teeth and bone through
the bloodstream to other areas of the body where it can damage organs and even be life-
threatening.

When Should You See a Doctor about Dental

Abscesses?

If someone thinks he or she has an abscess, call a dentist. If someone is experiencing

significant signs or symptoms and is unable to reach a dentist, go to a physician or a
hospital's emergency department for evaluation, especially if feeling sick.

If an infection becomes so painful that it cannot be managed by nonprescription

medicines, see a doctor or dentist immediately. Drainage might be required. If someone
develops fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting as a result of a dental abscess, see a doctor.

If one has intolerable pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, any of the symptoms of a
dental abscess, or someone cannot reach a doctor or dentist during off hours, go to a
hospital's emergency department for evaluation and treatment. By seeking treatment
before the symptoms progress to this stage, one can avoid emergency department visits.

How Are Dental Abscesses Diagnosed?

A doctor or dentist can determine by physical examination if there is a drainable abscess.

X-rays of the mouth may be necessary to show small abscesses that are located at the
deepest part of the tooth.

Are there Home Remedies for Dental Abscesses?

There are no home remedies for a dental infection once it is present, but it is possible to
manage the symptoms of the discomfort and swelling.

People who have cavities or toothaches can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), as needed for relief

of pain and inflammation. As an alternative to or in addition to NSAIDs,

acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be also taken. These medications may help the pain,

but they will not treat the infection. Follow-up with a health care professional is

always indicated.

If an abscess ruptures by itself, warm-water rinses will help cleanse the mouth and

encourage drainage. Even then, a follow-up visit to a dentist is important.

Infectious swelling accompanying a dental abscess is different than inflammatory

swelling, and application of ice or cold packs to the area is not recommended.

What Is the Treatment for Dental Abscesses?

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For an acute dental abscess that causes substantial pain or swelling, the doctor may
incise and drain the abscess and/or try therapy with antibiotics. Abscesses that are
eminently life-threatening may require hospital admission. Pain medication is commonly
prescribed until the symptoms can be controlled. These initial measures are often
necessary to temporarily relieve the signs and symptoms of an acute abscess; however,
further treatment directed at eliminating the primary source of the infection is necessary to
prevent recurrence. The location of this primary source determines the "definitive"
treatment options, which may include root canal treatment, periodontal treatment, or
extraction of the tooth.

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What Is the Followup for a Dental Abscess?

With dental abscess, as with each and every illness, it is important to comply with a
doctor's instructions for follow-up care. Proper treatment often means reassessment,
multiple visits, or referral to a specialist. Cooperate with doctors by following instructions
carefully to ensure the best possible outcome.

What Is the Prognosis for Dental Abscesses?

The prognosis is good for resolution of a small dental abscess once it has ruptured or
been drained. If the symptoms are improving, it is unlikely that the infection is getting
worse. Larger abscesses need immediate medical care, often requiring drainage and
antibiotics. Proper follow-up care with a dentist is mandatory for reassessment of the
infection and for taking care of the problem tooth.

Care might include pulling the tooth or having a root canal performed on it.

Dental abscesses that have extended to the floor of the mouth or to the neck can

threaten a person's airway and ability to breathe and may be life-threatening unless

they are properly drained.

How Do You Prevent a Dental Abscess?

Prevention plays a major role in maintaining good dental health. Daily brushing and
flossing along with regular dental checkups can prevent tooth decay and dental abscess.
Anyone who suffers from frequent dental abscesses needs to be evaluated by a health
care professional to determine if an underlying medical condition is responsible.
Remember there are no home remedies once one develops an abscess, so prevention is
the best practice.

Remember to brush and floss after every meal and at bedtime.

If tooth decay is discovered early and treated promptly, cavities that could develop

into abscesses can usually be corrected.

Avoidance of tobacco (chewing as well as smoking) use can help as well.

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Your Teeth

Reviewed on 1/18/2018

Medically reviewed by Joseph T. Palermo, DO; Board Certification Internal Medicine/Geriatric Medicine

REFERENCE:

Laskin, D. "Anatomic Considerations in the Diagnosis and Management of Odontogenic Infections." JADA
69 (1964): 308-316.

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Dental Abscess - Symptoms

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