An abcess is a bacterial infection of the tooth characterized by the formation of pus inside the tooth and gums. It can cause pain in some people, while in others, it may be painless. Either way, if you notice an abcess in your mouth, you should see us for treatment as an abcess does not heal by itself.
Symptoms of an Abcess
You could be having an abcess if you experience swelling on your face or cheek. The lymph nodes under your neck may also feel tender or swollen. This swelling is usually accompanied by pain that spreads to the jaw, neck, and ears on the affected tooth side. The pain may come suddenly and disappear or worsen with time. If an abcess forms on your tooth, the tooth may feel tender and loose. The tooth will also feel sensitive to cold and hot foods and drinks. Tooth discoloration and bad breath may also result from the abcess. If an abcess ruptures, you will experience a sudden foul smell and taste accompanied by temporary relief.
When You Should See Us
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should see us for diagnosis and treatment. Given that an abcess does not heal on its own, failure to seek treatment will cause the abcess to spread to other parts of your body and cause fever. In severe cases, the abcess may affect your breathing and swallowing. Upon diagnosis, our team will administer appropriate treatment under anesthesia depending on the cause of the abcess. They may drain the abcess to give you temporary relief and schedule a root canal or extraction where the tooth damage is intense. With good oral hygiene, you can prevent mouth abcess. You should also maintain a regular dental exam to treat dental problems and prevent abcess. Contact us today for more details on the prevention and treatment of mouth abcess.
An abcess is a bacterial infection of the tooth characterized by the formation of pus inside the tooth and gums. It can cause pain in some people, while in others, it may be painless. Either way, if you notice an abcess in your mouth, you should see us for treatment as an abcess does not heal by itself.