OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19     Learn More
close
close
For a better experience on crest.com, please enable JavaScript in your browser.
  • PART OF THE P&G FAMILY:
  • Oral B
  • dentalcare.com
  • P&G Good Everyday
USA - English
Please select a location
  • Canada - English
  • Canada - French
  • USA United - English English
Login   Register
LOG OUT CONFIRMATION
Would you like to logout now? LOG OUT
Contact Us
Crest
Search
  • TOOTHPASTE
  • WHITESTRIPS
  • MOUTHWASH
  • KIDS
  • LEARN
      • Why crest
      • Why Crest
      • Crest Toothpaste
      • Crest Whitestrips
      • Crest Mouthwash
      • Stannous Fluoride Protection
      • Oral Hygiene
      • Crest Recycling
      • FAQ
      • Crest Mouthwash Usage Guidelines
      • Conditions
      • Conditions
      • Bad Breath
      • Cavities & Tooth Decay
      • Gum Health
      • Plaque & Tartar
      • Teeth Sensitivity
      • Teeth Stains
      • Tooth Enamel
      • Toothache
      • Wisdom Teeth
      • Life Stages
      • Life Stages
      • Kids
      • Braces
      • Adults
      • Infants
      • Pregnancy
    • VIEW ALL ORAL CARE TOPICS
  • REWARDS
  • SHOP
    • View All Products
  • Toothpaste
    • View All Toothpaste Products
  • Mouthwash
      View All Mouthwash Products
  • Whitestrips
  • Sensitivity
    • View All Sensitivity Products
  • Kids
    • View All Kids Products
  • By Need
  • By Collection
  • Home >
  • HOME  > LEARN  > CONDITIONS  >
    CAVITIES & TOOTH DECAY
    CAVITIES & TOOTH DECAY
    >
  • Dental Abscess: Symptoms, Treatment and Healing
Print This

Dental Abscess: Symptoms, Treatment and Healing

Learn about dental and tooth abscess symptoms, what it is, treatments, and the healing process after the procedure.

Recommended 0 times Recommend This

Email Thisemail

SHARE THIS BY EMAIL

Dental Abscess: Symptoms, Treatment and Healing

Learn about dental and tooth abscess symptoms, what it is, treatments, and the healing process after the procedure.

THERE ARE (#) ERRORS ON THIS PAGE.
   
   
   
   
SEND
CANCEL

EMAIL SENT SUCCESSFULLY

Your email has been successfully sent to the recipient.

Continue

Dental-Abscess

What is an Abscessed Tooth?
Tooth Abscess Symptoms
Dental Abscess Dangers
Tooth Abscess Treatments
Healing After Abscess Procedure

What is an Abscessed Tooth?

A dental abscess is a serious infection in the tooth’s pulp—the bundle of nerves and blood vessels in the center of each tooth. A dental abscess should be treated as soon as possible, because the infection from an untreated dental abscess could spread to other parts of your body.

 

Tooth Abscess Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, you might have a dental abscess, and you should see a dental professional as soon as possible: 

Gum Symptoms:

  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Open sores on the gums 
  • Presence of a small bump (gumboil) near the infected tooth on either the inside or outside of the gums

Tooth Symptoms:

  • Pain while chewing
  • Pus around the edge of the infected tooth
  • Persistent tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods

Other Symptoms:

  • Swelling elsewhere on the face such as the jaw or in the glands of the neck
  • A bitter taste in the mouth
  • Extremely foul breath

Dental Abscess Dangers

If you experience any dental abscess symptoms, here are some things not to do:

  • Don’t delay: See a dental professional as soon as possible. If treated promptly you may be able to avoid having the infected tooth removed.
  • Don’t stop your oral hygiene routine: Continue to brush and floss.
  • Don’t be fooled if your dental abscess stops hurting: Pain associated with a dental abscess may go away if the tooth root has died. But a dead tooth root doesn’t mean the infection is gone. In fact, the infection from a dental abscess can still spread.

Tooth Abscess Treatments

Proper treatment of a tooth abscess will cure the infection as well as your severe toothache. Your dentist may treat the abscess in any of several ways, including a root canal or incision into the gums to allow the infection to drain. In extreme cases, the tooth may need to be removed and replaced. Three common methods for treating a dental abscess are:

  • Root Canal: If the abscess is not severe, the infected material can be scraped out, and the tooth can be repaired with a crown.
  • Extraction: If the abscess is more severe, the infected tooth will be removed and replaced.
  • Gum Incision: In some cases, an incision is made in the gum to allow the infected tissue to drain out.

Healing After Abscess Procedure

No matter how your dental abscess is treated, you can protect your mouth as it heals, and help prevent future tooth decay by following a regular oral hygiene routine that includes twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. The Crest Pro-Health Sensitive + Enamel Shield Bundle includes products that are appropriate to help keep your mouth healthy. The product line includes:

  • Toothpaste: Crest Pro-Health Sensitive + Enamel Shield Toothpaste addresses these areas dentists check most: sensitivity, cavities, plaque, gingivitis, tartar, stains and breath.
  • Soft Floss: Flossing your teeth might sound like a painful prospect after treatment for a dental abscess, but flossing is an important part of your oral care routine. Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Floss for Sensitive Gums is twice as soft as Glide Original Floss, and is designed to be gentle on sensitive teeth.
  • Comfortable Brush: The Oral-B Pro-Health All-in-One Manual Toothbrush extra-soft bristles that remove up to 90 percent of plaque in hard-to-reach areas to help keep your teeth healthy after treatment for a dental abscess.

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/toothaches
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/abscessed-tooth
http://www.medicinenet.com/abscessed_tooth_guide/article.htm

CrestGumSensitivityArticleImageDesktop

CrestGumSensitivityArticleImageMobile

Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

Learn about the benefits of using sensitive toothpaste and how to reduce your teeth sensitivity with toothpaste.

Sensitive toothpaste
Tooth Pain: Causes, Remedies, and Relief to Stop Tooth Pain

Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and relief for tooth pain.

Tooth Pain Causes
Teeth Sensitive to Hot Food and Beverages

Are your teeth sensitive to hot foods and drinks? Learn about the multiple causes for teeth sensitivity when it comes to heat.

Tooth-Sensitive-to-Hot-Food-and-Beverages
Toothache: Home Remedies, Causes, Relief for Sore Teeth

If you have aching teeth with no signs of tooth decay or gum disease, you may be experiencing bruxism.

Home Remedies for Sore Teeth
What is Cosmetic Dentistry? Costs and Types

Learn what cosmetic dentistry is, the costs associated with the procedures, and the types available.

Cosmetic dentistry

Related Articles

Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

Learn about the benefits of using sensitive toothpaste and how to reduce your teeth sensitivity with toothpaste.

Tooth Pain: Causes, Remedies, and Relief to Stop Tooth Pain

Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and relief for tooth pain.

Teeth Sensitive to Hot Food and Beverages

Are your teeth sensitive to hot foods and drinks? Learn about the multiple causes for teeth sensitivity when it comes to heat.

Toothache: Home Remedies, Causes, Relief for Sore Teeth

If you have aching teeth with no signs of tooth decay or gum disease, you may be experiencing bruxism.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry? Costs and Types

Learn what cosmetic dentistry is, the costs associated with the procedures, and the types available.

Related Products

  • Crest Pro-Health Advanced Active Strengthening Mouthwash
    QUICK VIEW

    Crest Pro-Health Advanced Active Strengthening Mouthwash

    Alcohol-free, fluoride formula kills bad breath germs, protects against cavities, and strengthens enamel.

  • CONNECT WITH US
  • Visit Crest on Facebook
  • Follow Crest on Twitter
  • Visit Crest's YouTube Channel
SIGN UP
SAVE ON HEALTHY SMILES Sign up to get the emails with savings on Crest Toothpaste, oral hygiene products, expert advice and more reasons for a healthy smile.

SHOP

  • Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Whitestrips
  • Kids
  • Our Ambition
  • Sustainability
  • Ingredients

Help & Support

  • Contact Us
  • RELATED SITES
  • P&G Brands
  • OralB.com

Dental Professional?

  • Visit dentalcare.com
  • bbb logo
  • SmartlabelIcon For ingredients and more, select a product.
    • Better Business Bureau
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • CA Privacy
  • Careers
  • AdChoices Ad Choices
  • Site Map
  • © 2021 Procter & Gamble
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information