A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. It needs urgent treatment by a dentist. A dental abscess will not go away on its own. Signs of a dental abscess include:Check if you have a dental abscess
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you think you have a dental abscess
Do not go to a GP surgery as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.
Information:
To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours:
- call your dentist – if they're closed, their answerphone may tell you what to do
If you do not have a dentist or cannot get to an emergency appointment:
- call 111 or get help from 111 online – they can tell you where you can get help for your symptoms
- find a dentist near you – ask if you can have an emergency appointment
You may have to pay for your appointment. Find out more about NHS dental charges.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- you are finding it hard to breathe
- have a swollen or painful eye, or suddenly start having problems with your eyesight
- have a lot of swelling in your mouth
Find your nearest A&E
How to ease the pain caused by a dental abscess
There are some things you can do to help with the pain until you can get dental treatment.
Do
take painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
eat soft foods like soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and yoghurt
use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth
avoid having sugary, or very hot or cold, foods and drinks
Treatment for a dental abscess
Dental abscesses are usually treated by a dentist. The dentist will drain away the pus.
If a problem with your tooth has caused the abscess, you may need root canal treatment, or the tooth may be removed. You'll be given a local anaesthetic, so you do not feel any pain.
You may be offered painkillers to take for a few days after treatment and may also be given antibiotics.
Causes of a dental abscess
Dental abscesses usually happen when pus builds up beneath your teeth or gums when you have an infection in your mouth.
You may get a dental abscess if:
- you have a tooth that has not grown out of your gums properly (an impacted tooth)
- you have tooth decay or gum disease
- you have injured your teeth, gums or mouth
- you're having radiotherapy or chemotherapy
How to prevent dental abscesses
There are some things you can do to help prevent dental abscesses.
Do
brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day - spit after brushing, do not rinse
clean in between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes
replace your toothbrush every 1 to 3 months
have regular dental check-ups so problems can be spotted early
Don’t
do not use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth
do not smoke
Page last reviewed: 20 June 2022
Next review due: 20 June 2025
A tooth infection can be very dangerous to the body if it goes unchecked. The longer you deal with a tooth infection, the more likely it is that the infection will spread to your body. A tooth infection starts with a toothache, but what are the biggest signs of a tooth infection spreading to your body?
Keep reading to find out what warning signs and symptoms to look out for. If you believe that you are dealing with a tooth infection, visit our dentist Riverside professionals to schedule an appointment for treatment.
To understand what a tooth infection feels like and how to recognize when it is starting to spread throughout the body, you should be aware of the general symptoms that you will first encounter. A tooth infection may be mild and not very painful, or the symptoms may be severe. Either way, it is important to get in touch with your local dental professional if you have any of the following:
- Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, especially food and drinks
- Pain that radiates from the tooth outward
- Swelling in the cheeks or gums
- Constant bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Pressure or pain when biting down
These symptoms indicate an underlying oral health issue. Get in touch with your dentist so you can wipe out any signs of infection before it spreads.
Feeling Sick All Over the Body
As an unchecked tooth infection starts to spread, you will start noticing the above symptoms more severely. Moreover, you will also start to feel these symptoms all over your body. An infection from your teeth can slip into your bloodstream, spreading these bad symptoms.
Some of the biggest signs that a tooth infection is spreading to the body include frequent headaches, feverishness, dizziness, and face swelling. It may get to the point where you are having difficulty opening or using your mouth because of the swelling. When that occurs, you should go to your local urgent care or emergency dentist to get rid of the infection ASAP.
Getting Treatment
You should get in touch with your dentist at the first sign of tooth infection symptoms. If physical trauma has caused you to break or lose a tooth, you must see your emergency dentist right away. Additional symptoms of tooth infection include difficulty swallowing and breathing, as well as pain that shoots through the ears or neck.
While you wait for your appointment with your dentist, you can seek some relief by taking over-the-counter ibuprofen. It is also recommended that you do not chew on the side of your mouth where your tooth is hurting. Once you arrive at your dentist’s office, you will be given options for the best treatments available. The most common and effective treatment for a tooth infection is a root canal procedure, which removes the infected area of your tooth.
Get a Root Canal and Say Goodbye to Infection!
Speak with our root canal Riverside experts about the procedure and how it can prevent the spread of infection in your mouth. An infection occurs when there is a buildup of bacteria, causing plaque and tartar to form on the teeth. The longer this buildup goes unnoticed, the deeper it goes into the mouth. Sometimes, it will cause the roots of your teeth to become infected.
A root canal procedure removes the infection from the root of your teeth so that your tooth can remain intact. This restores health to your mouth and keeps the infection from spreading to the rest of your body. For more information on a root canal procedure, and for more ways to combat tooth infection, reach out to our friendly experts at Star Dental Group Riverside today!