A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. Tooth decay, periodontal disease or a cracked tooth can create conditions that let bacteria enter the pulp and lead to death. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can cause serious infection in the jaw, teeth and surrounding tissue. There are three types of tooth infections that cause abscesses:

• Gingival – develops in the gums and doesn’t typically affect the tooth or root
• Periapical – forms at the tip of the tooth root and spreads to the pulp through a fracture or cavity
• Periodontal – starts in the bone and tissues that support the tooth and results from periodontal or gum disease

An abscessed tooth is typically very painful. Because of this, you’ll want to get emergency dental treatment as soon as possible. Your dentist will be able to diagnose your condition and recommend a treatment plan. In rare cases, an abscessed tooth may not be as painful, but getting treatment is still important because the infection will not go away. You may experience additional tooth abscess symptoms such as:

• Swelling
• Redness in the gums
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Persistent, throbbing, or severe toothache
• Extreme temperature sensitivity
• Pain when performing normal chewing or biting
• Swollen and/or painful lymph nodes

Your dentist will evaluate thoroughly and recommend the best treatment for you.
Once the affected area is cleaned and the underlying infection is treated, you will heal quickly. Depending on the specifics of your dental condition, there are various treatments to treat the tooth abscess, such as:

• Drain the abscess – your dentist will make a small incision that allows the pus to drain, then clean and disinfect the area.
• Root canal treatment – for a severely cracked or decayed tooth, a root canal can get rid of the infection and save the tooth.
• Tooth extraction – your dentist will make every effort to save your natural tooth, but in some cases, it’s just not possible, and a tooth extraction is the best option.
• Antibiotics – if the infection has spread to nearby teeth, jaw or other surrounding areas, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading further.
• Periodontal treatment – a periodontist should treat a periodontal abscess – deep cleaning and surgery will be conducted to eliminate the infection.

If your dental abscess is causing severe pain and you need temporary relief before your dental appointment, these home remedies can help. These are not long-term solutions, just temporary attempts to ease discomfort.

• Clove oil: the active ingredient is eugenol which has anesthetic and antibacterial properties. A small amount of clove oil applied to the site of the tooth abscess can temporarily numb the pain. But don’t ingest too much.
• Saltwater rinse can help soothe discomfort.
• You can try cool, wet peppermint tea bags to provide some relief.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers

No one wants to get a tooth infection, but if you find yourself in a lot of pain from an abscessed tooth, call Ranieu Family Dental so we can help. Our office hours are flexible and we have evening and weekend office hours available to accommodate your needs.

When you’re in pain, it’s a dental emergency. Whether your tooth infection is from decay or injury, you need dental attention asap. We specialize in treating all kinds dental emergencies as well as bringing back your confidence through cosmetic and restorative dentistry.