Mint Hill Smiles

Dentist in Mint Hill, NC

Abscessed Tooth? Signs, Causes, and What to Do | Mint Hill Smiles

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

A tooth abscess is a pocket of infection caused by bacteria, and it is one of the dental problems that should not wait

If you think you have an abscess, call us at (704) 323-7577. Here is what to know.

Signs of an Abscessed Tooth

  • – Persistent, severe, or throbbing tooth pain that may spread to the jaw, ear, or neck
  • – Swelling in the gum, face, or jaw
  • – A pimple-like bump on the gum that may drain a bad-tasting fluid
  • – Sensitivity to hot and cold, and pain when chewing
  • – A bad taste in the mouth or bad breath
  • – Fever or feeling generally unwell
  • – Tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck 

Why an Abscess Needs Prompt Care

A dental abscess is an active infection. It will not resolve on its own, and the infection can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. In rare cases, a dental infection can become a medical emergency. This is why an abscess should be evaluated and treated promptly rather than waited out. Seek emergency care immediately if you have significant facial swelling, swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, a high fever, or swelling spreading toward your eye or neck. These are signs the infection may be spreading and need urgent attention. Go to the emergency room right away.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Mint Hill NC

What Causes an Abscess

An abscess usually develops from a deep cavity that reaches the nerve, a cracked tooth that lets bacteria in, advanced gum disease, or a failed previous treatment. The common thread is bacteria reaching the inner tooth or the supporting tissues.

How an Abscess Is Treated

Treatment focuses on eliminating the infection and saving the tooth when possible. Depending on the situation, this may involve draining the abscess, a root canal to remove the infected tissue from inside the tooth, treatment of gum infection, or in some cases extraction. We may also prescribe antibiotics. We will evaluate the tooth, often with an X-ray or CBCT scan, and explain your options clearly.

Do not wait on a suspected abscess. Call (704) 323-7577 and we will help you.

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

An abscessed tooth typically causes persistent, severe, or throbbing pain that can spread to the jaw, ear, or neck. You may notice swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gum, a bad taste, pain when chewing, and sometimes fever.
A tooth abscess always needs prompt treatment. It becomes a medical emergency if you have significant facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a high fever, or swelling spreading toward your eye or neck. In those cases, seek emergency care immediately.
No. A tooth abscess is an active infection that will not resolve without treatment. Even if the pain temporarily decreases, which can happen if the abscess drains, the infection is still present and can spread. It needs to be treated.
Ignoring an abscess allows the infection to persist and potentially spread to the jaw, sinus, neck, or bloodstream, which can become serious or life-threatening. Prompt treatment is important both to save the tooth and to protect your health.
Treatment eliminates the infection and saves the tooth when possible, often through a root canal to remove the infected tissue, sometimes with drainage and antibiotics. In some cases extraction is necessary. We evaluate the tooth and explain your options.
Antibiotics can help control the spread of infection, but they do not cure an abscess on their own. The source of the infection inside the tooth or gum must be treated, usually with a root canal or other procedure, to fully resolve it.

You Do Not Have to Keep Hurting

If you are in tooth pain, please do not wait it out. Call us at (704) 323-7577 and tell us what is going on. We will get you in as quickly as possible and we will take care of you.

We serve patients from Mint Hill, Matthews, Indian Trail, Stallings, Weddington, Midland, Albemarle, and southeast Charlotte, NC. We accept most major insurance plans including Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare. Same day appointments are available for patients with dental pain.

We are at 11300 Cresthill Drive, Suite 105, Mint Hill, NC 28227. Visit minthillsmiles.dentist or call us directly.

Book your appointment today