Infection — treat soon
A dental abscess won’t heal on its own.
An abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum tissue. Untreated abscesses don’t go away — they get worse, and the infection can spread.
Signs include severe throbbing pain, swelling of the face or jaw, a small bump (sometimes draining) on the gum near a tooth, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away. Pain that builds for hours and wakes you up at night is a classic sign.
Treatment is usually a non-surgical root canal — we clean out the infected pulp, disinfect the inside of the tooth, and seal it. If the tooth can’t be saved, we extract it and start antibiotics to clear the infection. Either way, the goal is to drain the infection and stop it from spreading.
Call us right away. If you have visible facial swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing, that’s urgent — go to an emergency room immediately. Severe abscesses can cause life-threatening complications if untreated.
When to come in
Come see us if…
- You have severe, throbbing tooth pain that’s getting worse.
- You see swelling on your face, jaw, or gum near a painful tooth.
- You have fever or feel generally unwell along with tooth pain.
New Patients Welcome
Ready to plan your visit?
Whether it’s been six months or six years since your last appointment, you’re welcome here. Getting started takes just a few minutes — and we’ll meet you where you are.