What To Do For An Abscess Tooth?

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It will not go away on its own and requires professional dental treatment. The only way to cure an abscessed tooth is to have a dentist drain the infection and treat the underlying cause. While you wait for your appointment, you can manage the pain with over-the-counter medication and salt water rinses, but these are temporary measures. Do not rely on home remedies or antibiotics from the internet to solve this problem.

What Exactly Is a Tooth Abscess?

A tooth abscess is not just a bad toothache. It is a bacterial infection that creates a collection of pus inside your tooth or in the surrounding gum tissue. The body sends white blood cells to fight the bacteria, and the dead tissue and bacteria form that pocket of pus.

There are two main types. A periapical abscess starts at the tip of the tooth’s root. This usually happens when decay reaches the pulp — the soft center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. A periodontal abscess starts in the gum tissue next to the tooth root. This is more common in people with gum disease.

If the infection is not treated, it can spread to the jawbone, the soft tissues of the face, and even into the bloodstream. That is a serious condition called sepsis. The CDC reports that dental infections send thousands of people to emergency rooms each year in the United States.

What Are the Signs You Need to See a Dentist Immediately?

Pain is the most common symptom. It is often described as throbbing, sharp, or constant. The pain may spread to your jaw, ear, or neck. Many people report that lying down makes the pain worse because blood flow to the head increases.

Other signs include swelling in your face or cheek, a fever, a bad taste in your mouth, and difficulty opening your mouth fully. You might also see a pimple-like bump on your gum near the painful tooth. If that bump drains pus, the pain may temporarily decrease, but the infection is still there.

If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or if the swelling spreads to your eye or neck, go to an emergency room immediately. These are signs the infection is spreading fast and can become life-threatening.

What To Do For An Abscess Tooth While Waiting for the Dentist

You cannot treat the infection at home. But you can manage the pain and prevent the infection from getting worse until you see a dentist.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help. Ibuprofen is generally better because it also reduces inflammation. Research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association shows that ibuprofen is more effective than acetaminophen for dental pain in most people. Follow the dosing instructions on the bottle. Do not take more than the recommended amount.

Salt water rinses can provide temporary relief. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. Swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out. Do this several times a day. The salt water helps reduce inflammation and can draw some of the pus to the surface if there is a draining bump.

A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can reduce swelling and numb the area. Apply it for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Do not put heat on a swollen face. Heat can make the infection spread faster.

Sleep with your head elevated on extra pillows. This reduces blood flow to the area and can lower the throbbing sensation. Avoid chewing on the side of the abscess. Stick to soft foods that do not require much chewing.

What Home Remedies Should You Avoid?

Many viral health claims suggest putting garlic, turmeric paste, or oil of oregano directly on the tooth. There is no clinical evidence that any of these cure a tooth abscess. Some people report temporary pain relief from clove oil because it contains eugenol, a natural numbing agent. But clove oil can burn healthy gum tissue if used incorrectly. It does not treat the infection.

Aspirin placed directly on the gum or tooth is another common myth. This can cause a chemical burn on your gum tissue. It does not help the abscess. Swallow aspirin or ibuprofen as directed. Do not place pills on your gums.

Hydrogen peroxide rinses are sometimes recommended. Some evidence suggests diluted hydrogen peroxide can reduce bacteria on the surface of gums. But it will not penetrate deep enough to reach an abscess inside the tooth. Overuse can irritate your gums and delay healing. If you use it, dilute it with equal parts water and do not swallow.

Alcohol and whiskey are not antiseptic enough to help a tooth abscess. Putting whiskey on your gum only numbs the area briefly and can irritate the tissue. Drinking alcohol can interact with pain medications and dehydrate you, which makes healing harder.

What Will the Dentist Actually Do?

The dentist has three main options depending on how bad the infection is and whether the tooth can be saved.

Draining the abscess. The dentist makes a small cut in the gum to let the pus drain out. This relieves pressure and pain almost immediately. They may also place a small rubber drain to keep the area open for a few days. This is often the first step before further treatment.

Root canal. If the tooth can be saved, the dentist removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth, cleans the root canals, and seals them. A crown is usually placed later to protect the tooth. Root canals have a bad reputation for pain, but modern anesthesia makes them no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The pain from the abscess is usually worse than the procedure itself.

Tooth extraction. If the tooth is too damaged to save, the dentist pulls it. This removes the source of the infection completely. After extraction, you may need a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture to fill the gap. Leaving a gap can cause other teeth to shift.

Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed, but they are not always needed. The American Dental Association advises that antibiotics are most useful when the infection has spread beyond the tooth, when you have a fever, or when you have a weakened immune system. For a simple abscess that is drained and treated, antibiotics may not be necessary. Overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, which is a serious public health problem.

• Draining the abscess provides immediate relief
• Root canal saves the tooth by removing infected pulp
• Extraction removes the tooth and the infection source
• Antibiotics are only needed if the infection has spread

Can You Prevent a Tooth Abscess?

Prevention is straightforward but requires consistency. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss once a day to remove plaque between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. The American Dental Association states that flossing reduces your risk of gum disease, which is a leading cause of periodontal abscesses.

See your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Most people need a cleaning every six months. Your dentist can spot small cavities before they become large enough to cause an abscess. They can also find gum disease in its early stages when it is easier to treat.

Limit sugary foods and drinks. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and produce acid that erodes tooth enamel. The more sugar your teeth are exposed to, the higher your risk of decay. If you do eat something sugary, rinse your mouth with water afterward or chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow.

Do not ignore tooth pain. A small cavity that is treated early costs much less and causes far less pain than a root canal or extraction. Many people avoid the dentist because of cost or fear, but waiting only makes the problem worse and more expensive.