Tooth Infection — Signs, Symptoms & When to Get Emergency Care
A tooth infection (dental abscess) happens when bacteria invade the inner chamber of your tooth and create a pocket of pus. It won't go away on its own, and it can become dangerous if it spreads. Knowing the signs and getting timely treatment protects both your tooth and your health.
What Are the Signs of a Tooth Infection?
Throbbing, persistent pain that may pulse with your heartbeat and radiate to your jaw, ear, or temple.
Swelling in your cheek, jaw, or under your chin. The swelling may feel warm to the touch.
Sensitivity to temperature — especially hot foods and drinks — that lingers after the stimulus is removed.
A bad taste or salty fluid in your mouth, which occurs when the abscess drains on its own.
A gum boil (parulis) — a small, pimple-like bump on the gums near the affected tooth.
Fever and general malaise. Feeling unwell, with swollen lymph nodes in your neck or under your jaw.
Pain that suddenly stops. If severe pain disappears abruptly, the nerve may have died — but the infection is still active and still needs treatment.
When Is a Tooth Infection an Emergency?
All tooth infections need professional treatment, but certain signs mean you should seek care immediately — either from your dentist or an emergency room:
Go to the ER or call 911 if: you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling is spreading rapidly to your neck or under your eyes, you have a fever over 101°F (38.3°C), or you feel confused or lightheaded.
Call your dentist for a same-day appointment if: you have severe pain not relieved by over-the-counter medication, visible swelling in your face or gums, a fever under 101°F, or a bad taste with drainage near a tooth.
Summit Ridge Dental sees emergency patients the same day at all three offices. Call (480) 555-7100 immediately.
How We Treat Tooth Infections
Drain the abscess. If there's a visible collection of pus, your dentist may drain it to provide immediate relief and reduce pressure.
Antibiotics. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics if the infection has spread beyond the tooth. Antibiotics reduce the active infection but do not cure the underlying problem — the infected tooth still needs treatment.
Root canal therapy. This is the primary treatment for saving an infected tooth. Your dentist removes the infected pulp tissue, cleans and disinfects the interior of the tooth, fills it with a biocompatible material, and places a crown on top to protect it. Root canals have a 95%+ success rate.
Extraction. If the tooth is too damaged to save — for example, if the infection has destroyed significant bone around the root — the tooth may need to be removed. After healing, a dental implant can replace the extracted tooth.
How to Prevent Tooth Infections
Treat cavities early. Most tooth infections start as untreated cavities that grow deeper over time. Regular checkups catch decay when it's small and simple to fill.
Don't delay recommended treatment. If your dentist recommends a crown or root canal, waiting increases the risk of infection.
Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush twice daily, floss once daily, and use fluoride toothpaste.
Protect your teeth from trauma. Wear a mouthguard during sports and a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The infection inside a tooth requires professional treatment — either a root canal or extraction. Antibiotics can temporarily reduce symptoms but won't cure the underlying problem. Untreated infections can spread to the jaw, head, neck, or bloodstream.
Look for severe throbbing pain, facial swelling, sensitivity to hot and cold, a bad taste in your mouth, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. A small bump on the gums near a tooth is a strong indicator of an abscess.
Yes, if untreated. A dental abscess can spread to the jaw, face, neck, and in rare but serious cases, the bloodstream. Seek emergency care if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, high fever, or rapidly spreading swelling.
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Think You Have a Tooth Infection? Call Now.
Dental infections don't wait, and neither should you. Same-day emergency appointments at all three Summit Ridge Dental locations.