Dental Abscess: Causes, Warning Signs and Why It Needs Urgent Care

By New Dental Center, Al Ain, UAE · Root Canal Treatment

A dental abscess is a pocket of infection that forms at the root of a tooth or in the gum. It can cause severe pain, swelling and a bad taste, but sometimes it is surprisingly painless. Either way, an abscess will not go away on its own and needs proper dental treatment. In rare cases, an untreated infection can spread and become serious.

What Causes an Abscess

A periapical abscess forms at the tip of the root when the nerve inside the tooth dies, usually due to deep decay, a crack or trauma. A periodontal abscess forms in the gum alongside the tooth, usually linked to gum disease. Both involve bacteria multiplying and the body forming pus to fight the infection.

Warning Signs

Symptoms include throbbing toothache, pain when biting, swelling in the gum or face, a pimple-like bump on the gum, a bad taste or smell from pus draining, sensitivity to heat, and sometimes fever or swollen glands. A tooth that previously hurt and then suddenly stopped can also be a sign the nerve has died.

When It Is an Emergency

Seek urgent care if you have facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling around the eye, high fever or feeling generally unwell. These can indicate that the infection is spreading and needs immediate treatment.

How an Abscess Is Treated

The goal is to remove the source of infection. This usually means root canal treatment to clean and seal the inside of the tooth, or extraction if the tooth cannot be saved. Gum abscesses are drained and the area cleaned. Antibiotics may be prescribed when infection has spread, but they do not replace treating the tooth itself.

Prevention

Regular check-ups catch decay before it reaches the nerve, and treating gum disease reduces the risk of gum abscesses. Do not ignore toothache, even if it comes and goes, and get damaged or cracked teeth assessed promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions