by Malavi Sivakanesan • 24 March 2025 • 5 min read
When a tooth is abscessed, it will create pockets of pus around the infected tooth and its root. Be it a child or an adult, anyone can be affected by this dental condition. In case you get an abscessed tooth, it will not get better on its own. Instead, you will need immediate treatment from a certified orthodontist. In addition to medical assistance, you will also be provided with information regarding the signs of an abscess tooth. For further details, check out this post.
Signs of an Abscess in the Tooth
In certain cases, the tooth and surrounding areas may hurt. When it happens, you will usually experience throbbing and sharp pain. The pain becomes unbearable when you put even a little pressure on the affected tooth. If you ignore the condition and do not treat it timely through root canal treatment or others, the infection can also spread to the entire mouth and other parts of the face.
This situation can easily be noticed by checking the following dental abscesses symptoms:
- Redness in the gums
- Swelling
- Puffy gums
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bad taste
- Sensitivity to cold and hot temperature
- Bad breath
- Fluid in the mouth that is foul-smelling, bad tasting, and salty (this means that the abscess in the tooth has raptured)
- A loose tooth
Please note that many times, this abscess in the tooth looks like a pimple on the gum. When you squeeze it and a liquid-sort substance comes out, it means that is pus and your tooth is abscessed.
What are the Abscess Symptoms When the Condition is Severe?
Above, we have discussed the early signs of abscess tooth. If you get it treated, the damage can be prevented. In case you ignore it, the outcomes are quite severe as it will start spreading to the rest of the mouth and body parts. Seeking timely abscess tooth relief can help manage pain and prevent complications, ensuring better oral health.
If you notice any of the following more severe symptoms alongside the common ones listed above, you should immediately call your dentist or seek emergency care:
- Difficulty while breathing or swallowing
- High-temperature fever
- Swelling in the jaw, face, and neck
What are the Main Causes of Dental Abscess?
A tooth has a harder outer layer, while the inner side is pulp made with blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. If your tooth is infected, it is more likely because of the following causes oral abscess, which can lead to severe pain and complications if left untreated.
- Periodontal disease or gum disease
- Tooth decay or deep cavity
- A cracked or chipped tooth
When bacterial infection is not addressed, it will start killing the pulp which will result in an abscessed tooth. Root canal treatment is considered ideal when extraction is not required for this condition.
Who is More Prone to Abscessed Teeth?
Lifestyle is one of the factors that can get you an abscessed tooth. If you have any of the following, you are more prone to get it:
- Irregular dental care: If you do not deep clean your teeth regularly, it can form plaque and tartar. This will inflame your gums and cause abscesses.
- Poor oral habits: Brushing teeth twice a day is necessary to keep your oral health correct. You are more likely to get gum disease and tooth decay if you have poor oral hygiene.
- Excessive sugar consumption: Sugar is the biggest enemy of your tooth. If you consume lots of chocolates, sweets, sugary drinks, etc., you will soon get severe cavities that will cause an abscessed tooth.
- Dry mouth: Certain medicines as well as growing age can get you a dry mouth. This will also put your tooth at a high risk of getting a bacterial infection.
In normal cases where extraction is not needed, medications and the root canal are advised to treat the condition. If you are going for a root canal, make sure you check the dental crown cost beforehand.
Closing Remarks
Whether you need a thorough oral check-up and further treatment or simply need detailed information about the symptoms and cause of dental abscess, you can trust Complete Smiles. With an expert team of certified and experienced orthodontists and dental surgeons, all your dental and oral health needs will be fulfilled here.
Malavi Sivakanesan
Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.