What Are Signs You Have an Abscessed Tooth Needing Urgent Care?

A dental abscess is a severe infection requiring prompt treatment. Left unchecked, it can have serious consequences. Here, we’ll cover how to identify an abscessed tooth and why you should immediately seek emergency dentistry in Caro.

What is a dental abscess, and what causes it?

A tooth abscess happens when an infection spreads from the tooth root into the surrounding gum and bone tissue. This creates a pocket of pus. The bacteria can damage tissue and bone if left untreated.

Causes include untreated tooth decay, cracks or chips that let bacteria enter previous trauma, and failed root canal treatment. Even gingivitis that escalates to advanced periodontal disease can lead to abscessed teeth.

Do you have throbbing tooth pain that won’t quit?

Intense, pounding tooth pain is often the first symptom that a dental abscess is brewing. The infected nerve becomes severely inflamed. Pain may start suddenly or get progressively worse over several days.

You might notice the pain radiating up into your jaw, ear, and neck on the affected side. It may be sharp, stabbing, or feel like constant, relentless pounding and throbbing. Painkillers provide little relief. This persistent pain warrants an urgent visit to your dentist near me.

Is there swelling in your face around the infected tooth?

As the abscess expands, you may develop visible swelling in your gums, jaw, or neck near the problematic tooth.

Facial swelling on one side that looks tender and puffy indicates a spreading infection. The area also appears reddened and inflamed. Swelling often emerges in tandem with severe tooth pain. Please don’t wait for it to drain on its own. Get in right away to your local Caro dentist.

Does the area drain pus and taste foul?

The buildup of pus from the dental abscess may leak through a fistula that opens in your gums. You may feel a bad taste in your mouth as the pus drains. It can seep slowly, or you may see a sudden fluid discharge.

This foul-smelling pus is filled with bacteria from the infection. While the drainage relieves some pressure, visiting our dentist’s office near me is essential to get antibiotics and fully treat the abscess.

Do you have a fever, chills, or generally feel ill?

Once a dental infection spreads, you may start feeling unwell overall. A fever over 100°F, chills, and body aches indicate a spreading infection.

Abscesses release bacteria and toxins into the bloodstream, making you feel rundown. See an emergency dentist near me to get the source treated before the infection gets out of hand. Don’t ignore these systemic signs.

Is prompt treatment needed to prevent the infection from spreading?

While a small dental abscess might resolve independently with antibiotics, most require swift intervention. The longer you wait, the more damage can be done. The infection can eat into surrounding bone and tissue.

Ignoring symptoms allows the bacteria to spread into your jaw, neck, sinuses, or chest. Seek a professional dentist at 48723 care immediately for an exam, antibiotics, drainage, or extraction of the infected tooth. Don’t delay when dealing with an abscess.

In conclusion, throbbing pain, swelling, pus drainage, and feeling ill signal you to contact your dentist for urgent dental care in Caro. We offer same-day urgent appointments to treat dental abscesses. Our skilled providers will prescribe strong antibiotics and perform any needed extractions or drainage procedures to stop the infection. Don’t live with the intense pain of an abscessed tooth – call Thumbs Up Dental now to schedule care before it escalates further!