A dental abscess is one of the most frequently encountered problems by dentists. Caused by bacterial infections, this condition can negatively affect a person’s daily life. Most patients spend the first few days taking painkillers at home. However, these painkillers only provide temporary relief. Unlike many other ailments, there is no way to treat a dental abscess entirely at home.
Advanced or untreated dental abscesses can lead to more serious complications. To avoid facing such issues, knowing the symptoms of a dental abscess is crucial. You can begin reading our content to access detailed information on what a dental abscess is, its causes, and its symptoms.
What Causes a Dental Abscess?
The primary cause of dental abscesses is untreated dental caries (tooth decay). Since a decayed tooth is a bacterial infection, it continues to progress unless treated by a dentist. Many people believe that painless cavities do not require treatment. Acting on this belief allows bacteria to proliferate in the tooth, leading to a more severe abscess.
Beyond this main cause, if you have any of the following conditions, your likelihood of developing a dental abscess is higher:
- Poor oral hygiene: If oral cleaning is not performed adequately, the acids produced by bacteria in plaque will damage your teeth and gums.
- Damaged teeth: Teeth that are traumatized or broken, if left untreated, can lead to an abscess.
- Gum infections: Infections in the gums are another cause of dental abscesses.
- High sugar consumption: Components in sugar over time damage gums and tooth roots; this damage can progress into an abscess.
- Immune system disorders: People with weakened immune systems have a higher chance of developing a dental abscess.
- Gingivitis (gum inflammation): One of the biggest causes of abscess formation is gum inflammation, also known as gum recession when severe. Untreated inflammation can progress into abscess formation and tooth loss.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess begins to show symptoms quickly. Sharp, persistent pain is the main alarm sign of an abscess. Other symptoms include:
- Pain: You may experience throbbing pain, especially radiating to areas such as the head, ear, neck, or parts of the jaw.
- Tooth sensitivity: Excessive sensitivity to hot or cold foods is among the signs of a dental abscess.
- Fever: Fever is not seen in the early stages of an abscess. It appears more often in advanced stages.
- Swollen lymph nodes: In progressed abscess cases, tender and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or neck can be observed.
- Severe bad breath: From the onset, an abscess causes bad breath. Over time, an unpleasant taste also accompanies it.
- Gum swelling: Gum swelling can be a sign of an abscess forming in a tooth. Because of this issue, normally pink gums turn red and become tender.
An untreated dental abscess can lead to serious complications such as jaw infections. If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should consult your dentist as soon as possible.
How Is a Dental Abscess Diagnosed?
Your dentist will first direct you to a clinical examination. Combined with the medical history (anamnesis) you provide, treatment notes allow for a diagnosis to be made. If your dentist believes the abscess is advanced, they may use dental X-rays to examine your jaw and gums in more detail.
How Is a Dental Abscess Treated?
A dental abscess is not a condition that can be resolved at home with self-care methods. The doctor examining you will typically aim to halt the infection. In addition to prescribing an oral antibiotic, they may also add painkillers to help manage your discomfort.
The definitive solution for some dental abscesses may be tooth extraction. The vast majority of dentists will not extract the tooth until the infection is under control. However, once the infection subsides or is healed, they proceed with the extraction if necessary.
What Helps Relieve a Dental Abscess?
The definitive solution for an abscessed tooth is to see a dentist and take the prescribed medications regularly. In addition to the treatment plan your dentist arranges, you can take the following measures to alleviate pain:
- You may start using mouthwash (gargle) if recommended.
- You can massage with herbs like clove oil or thyme oil.
- If your dentist sees no contraindication, you may continue brushing your teeth.
- Applying an ice cube to the painful area can help reduce pain intensity.
Remember that these steps cannot replace the treatment your dentist will provide; they only help weaken the pain. Therefore, you should definitely book an appointment at our clinics and explain your problem to our dentists.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Abscess
Below, we answer frequently asked questions after presenting the basic information about dental abscesses.
What types of abscesses are there?
Dental abscesses are classified into two types based on where they form:
- Periodontal abscess: More often occurs around the tooth root and usually results in tooth loss.
- Periapical abscess: An abscess that forms in the gum area. Characterized by throbbing pain.
Can a dental abscess resolve on its own?
A dental abscess cannot resolve on its own. Dental treatment is mandatory.
How many days does a dental abscess take to heal?
The healing process of a dental abscess typically ranges from 7 to 14 days. In advanced cases, this period may extend up to 21 days.
What should you do if you have a dental abscess?
If you face a dental abscess problem, the first thing to do is to see a dentist. In addition to your treatment, you can gently massage with herbal products at home to help ease pain.
Is a dental abscess dangerous?
Dental abscesses are not dangerous if diagnosed early and treated correctly. In some advanced cases, the infection has been observed to spread to the jaw and even the brain.
Should you brush a tooth with an abscess?
This depends on your dentist’s clinical examination result. Your dentist may approve brushing or may recommend using a mouthwash instead.
What dries out a dental abscess?
The most effective way to dry out a dental abscess is using antibiotics.
When does a dental abscess become dangerous?
Certain complications can be seen during a dental abscess. Spread of the infection to the jaw or gum is a common complication. This spread can be halted by extracting one or more teeth. Beyond that, untreated dental abscesses have been observed to spread to the jaw and other head and neck regions, including the brain.
In rare cases, an infection can lead to life-threatening sepsis.
Can a dental abscess kill you?
No, a dental abscess is not a condition that kills.
Can you pop a dental abscess at home?
Popping a dental abscess at home is highly inadvisable because it can lead to much bigger problems.
How is a dental abscess drained?
The method of draining a dental abscess depends on its cause. Dentists may recommend drainage when the abscess has not been resolved by antibiotics. Under local anesthesia applied to your tooth, the area is numbed and the dentist drains the abscess in the manner they deem appropriate.
