What Does a Tooth Abscess Feel Like? All You Need To Know

Many patients may be wondering what does a tooth abscess feel like. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the tooth, and it can be quite painful.

The pain may radiate to other areas of the face or head, and the patient may also experience fever, swollen lymph nodes, and general ill feelings.

If you think you may have an abscessed tooth, it’s important to see your dentist right away so that treatment can be started. only get worse over time and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. 

 

What is a Tooth Abscess?

A tooth abscess is an infection of the root of a tooth that forms a pus-filled pocket. It begins as a bacterial infection within the centre of the tooth, called the pulp. 

Tooth or periodontal (gum) abscesses are caused by a cracked tooth, cavity or bacteria in the mouth, and an untreated abscess can spread to the jawbone, making it more difficult to treat. Most cavities don’t have visible signs, so it is important for individuals to visit a dentist if they experience a sudden or unexplained toothache or severe sensitivity.

If left untreated, the bacteria can cause damage to the surrounding bone and soft tissue, causing significant pain and discomfort. Fortunately, with prompt diagnosis and treatment from a dentist, this condition can be managed successfully through antibiotics, root canal therapy and extractions depending on its severity.

Early treatment is often key in preventing further complications associated with this particular dental problem. 

 

Tooth Abscess Causes

The most common cause of a tooth abscess is untreated tooth decay. Tooth decay can weaken the enamel of your teeth, making them more susceptible to bacteria and infection

Gum disease can also cause an abscess to form, as this condition causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, leaving spaces for bacteria to build up and cause infection. Poor oral hygiene, including not brushing or flossing regularly, can also lead to an abscess forming between the teeth.

Another possible cause of a tooth abscess is trauma to the mouth that causes damage to the tooth pulp cavity. This can occur from an accident or sports-related injury. 

 

Tooth Abscess Symptoms

A tooth abscess is a severe infection of the tooth that can cause significant pain and damage to surrounding tissue. In fact, it is commonly accompanied by other signs, such as:

1. Fever

2. Swollen lymph nodes

3. Difficulty swallowing

4. Pain or discomfort with hot and cold temperatures

5. Pain or discomfort with the pressure of chewing or biting

6. A sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief if the abscess ruptures

The dentists will diagnose any dental problems and recommend appropriate treatments accordingly. Ignoring the symptoms of tooth abscess may lead to serious health risks from spreading infection as well as intense dental pain. 

 

 

Tooth Abscess Pain

The pain associated with a tooth abscess is usually severe and described as throbbing, pulsating or a sharp stabbing sensation. Tooth abscess pain may also radiate to other areas of the face or head, such as the ear, and it can be worsened by hot or cold temperatures

It’s important to realise that this type of infection is not something that can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication. Instead, professional emergency dental care should be sought in order to avoid further complications and long-term damage to the tooth pulp cavity or surrounding tissues

If you think you may have an abscessed tooth, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. 

 

What Happens if Abscess Left Untreated?

A dental abscess is a type of infection that is usually caused by bacteria and can become filled with pus or other infected material over time. If the abscess goes untreated, it can spread the infection to other parts of the body and lead to serious health complications.

This potentially life-threatening condition occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your body’s tissues and organs, which may cause organ failure if left unfettered.

It’s important to understand what an abscess is so you can seek appropriate medical help as soon as possible in order to prevent any long-term damage or even death. 

 

Tooth Abscess Treatment

It’s important to have an abscessed tooth treated by a dentist, as they can help improve your oral health. This type of treatment typically involves a two-prong approach:

Draining the pus from the tooth and taking antibiotics. Draining the tooth helps to remove bacteria buildup, followed by antibiotics to prevent further infection.

The duration of dental abscesses treatment depends on its severity, with most cases being able to clear up within one or two weeks.

However, more severe cases may require a longer treatment period as well as more intensive dental care, such as root canal treatment.

Therefore, it is important to follow your dentist’s instructions closely to ensure that the tooth abscess is effectively treated. 

 

Tooth Extraction as a Treatment

When tooth abscesses occur, the affected tooth extraction is sometimes necessary depending on the severity of the infection present.

This procedure is advised when tooth decay or trauma has already caused significant damage to the tooth, making tooth restoration unviable, or the symptoms of the abscess have become severe and persistent despite other forms of treatment.

It’s important to act on an abscess as soon as possible; failure to do so can lead to permanent consequences, such as oral swelling and prolonged tooth pain. In some cases, tooth extraction might be the best option for a full recovery from tooth abscess treatment.

A tooth abscess can cause a range of symptoms, from pain and discomfort to fever and difficulty swallowing. If you think you may have a tooth abscess, it’s important to see a dentist right away.

At St Leonards Green Dental, we can help, as our experienced, caring dental team is well-equipped to treat your symptoms. We offer same-day appointments for emergency dental care, so don’t wait. Contact us on (02) 9158 6211 today. 

 

 

References

Tooth abscess
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-20350901#:~:text=Signs%20and%20symptoms%20of%20a,pressure%20of%20chewing%20or%20biting

Tooth abscess: Diagnosis and treatment
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350907

Dental abscess
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493149/

Abscessed teeth
https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/abscessed-teeth/

Abscess
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/abscess

Periodontal Abscess
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560625/