A gum that is puffy and tender, or a cheek that looks a little swollen, is easy to dismiss. It should not be. Swelling with throbbing pain often indicates a dental abscess, a bacterial infection that requires urgent professional treatment. An emergency dentist in the Upper East Side can drain and treat it, and the sooner you call, the simpler the care tends to be.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, either in the gum or around the root of a tooth. The Mayo Clinic explains that bacteria can enter through a cavity, a chip or crack in the tooth, or prior dental work and travel down to the root. An abscess usually looks like a red, swollen bump, boil, or pimple, and it will not heal on its own.
Signs of a Dental Abscess
Watch for these warning signs:
- Throbbing, persistent tooth or jaw pain
- A swollen gum, cheek, or jaw
- A pimple-like bump on the gum
- A bad taste or bad breath
- Pain when biting, or sensitivity to hot and cold
- Fever or swollen glands
Pain is not always the clearest signal. The Cleveland Clinic notes that pain may stop if the infection causes the nerve inside the tooth to die. Still, the bacteria keep spreading, so relief does not mean the problem is gone.
When It’s an Emergency
Some situations call for a trip to the emergency room. The Cleveland Clinic lists a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and facial swelling as reasons to go, and the Mayo Clinic adds trouble breathing or swallowing. Swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck is also a reason not to wait. For anything else that looks like an abscess, call a dentist the same day.
How a Dentist Treats an Abscess
Treatment starts with an exam and X-rays to find the source. The infection is then drained, and its cause is treated, which may mean a root canal to save the tooth, an extraction if the tooth is too damaged to save, or deep cleaning for an abscess in the gum.
After a root canal, a dental crown often protects the tooth. Antibiotics may be added, but they do not replace treating the source, since they cannot reach every place bacteria hide inside a tooth.
Prevent It Before It Starts
Most abscesses begin as untreated cavities, cracks, or gum disease. Regular professional cleanings and exams catch them early, and this guide to preventive dental care explains why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an abscess go away on its own?
No. It needs professional treatment, and the infection can spread if left untreated.
Is a swollen face always an emergency?
Swelling with a fever, or with trouble breathing or swallowing, calls for the emergency room. Otherwise, see a dentist the same day.
Can antibiotics alone cure an abscess?
Usually not. The source of the infection must also be treated.
Swollen Gum or Face? Call an Emergency Dentist in Upper East Side Today
At Murphy Dental, we don’t want you to wait for the swelling to spread. Call or request an appointment with us at (212) 717-5475 for the earliest available time. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest emergency room.