What’s a Tooth Abscess?

If you have a strong, impossible to ignore pain in your tooth, you could have a tooth abscess. A tooth abscess is a serious problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If you have a dental infection, your dentist in Reseda can diagnose and treat the condition to eliminate the infection. Here’s what you should know about tooth abscesses and dental infection.

What’s a Tooth Abscess? What Are the Signs?

A tooth abscess is a pocket of puss that forms in the space around a tooth, often at root of the tooth. Tooth abscesses can occur due to an untreated dental cavity, or because of an injury or dental work. Often, tooth abscesses start with a small problem that goes ignored.

Abscesses can cause a great deal of pain, so once an abscess is formed, most people are aware there’s a problem. Here’s what to watch for:

• Severe pain either when biting down or at random; pain can be so severe it spreads to the jaw and neck
• Bad breath even after brushing
• Fever
• Swelling in the face
• Tender lymph nodes

You may even notice a sudden rush of foul smelling liquid in your mouth, and a sudden relief from the pain. This means the pocket of puss has likely popped, but does not mean that you no longer need to see the dentist.

Know When to Go to the Emergency Room

If you’re having trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room as soon as possible. This is an indication the infection has spread.

What Should You Do If It Seems Like You Have a Tooth Abscess?

If you have a tooth abscess, the problem may be able to be corrected with a root canal. You may also need a tooth extraction, if the problem is severe enough. Either way, it’s important to see the dentist at Canby Dental as soon as possible. Getting early help can save your tooth, but if you wait too long, an extraction will be necessary.

Think you might have a tooth abscess? The first step is to get an urgent dental examination in Reseda, CA. A tooth abscess is a dental emergency and should be addressed as soon as possible. Call today. Tell the person who answers that you need treatment as soon as possible, and describe your symptoms.