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• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Await medical help
• Method 2 of 2: Get medical treatment

A tooth abscess is an infection of the tooth usually caused by an untreated cavity or gum disease, or a serious injury to the tooth affecting the tooth pulp, such as a fracture. This creates a pus-filled and often painfully infected cavity that requires immediate medical attention to prevent the tooth in question from falling out and spreading the infection to the surrounding teeth and even affecting the bones in the face and nasal cavities. If you have to wait a day or two before your dentist has time for you, there are some home remedies you can use while waiting to relieve the discomfort caused by the abscess.

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Method 1 of 2: Await medical help

1. Make an appointment with your dentist. If you suspect you have a dental abscess, make an appointment with your dentist right away. Symptoms of a tooth abscess include fever, pain when chewing, a bad taste in the mouth, persistent bad breath, swollen glands in the neck, red and swollen gums, a discolored tooth, a swollen upper or lower jaw and an open , pus-filled blister on the side of the gums.
   • A tooth abscess doesn't always hurt. A serious infection to the tooth will eventually cause the dental pulp in the root of the tooth to die, leaving you with no feeling in your tooth. This does not mean that there is nothing wrong now. The infection is still active and if left untreated it will cause further serious damage.
   • Depending on the type of bacteria that caused the infection and your immune system, an abscess can even cause facial malformations because pus keeps building up in the tissue.
2. Rinse your mouth with warm saline solution. Do this after eating to prevent food debris from further irritating the abscess. You can also temporarily relieve the pain.
   • Mix 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of salt with 250 ml of warm (not hot) water and swish the mixture in your mouth. Then spit out the mixture and repeat the process.
   • Remember, saline solution CANNOT cure a tooth abscess, even if it makes the area feel better. You should still see your dentist as symptoms may have been made much worse by an anaerobic infection that is spreading rapidly.
3. Take over-the-counter pain relievers for the pain and fever. Medicines such as acetaminophen, naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (including Advil) can help soothe your toothache while you wait for an appointment.
   • Only take the medicines according to the directions on the package and in the package insert, even if they do not completely soothe your toothache.
   • Know that these medications also reduce fever and can hide the fever that causes the infection. While taking these medications, keep an eye out for other symptoms that could indicate that the infection is getting worse.
4. If your symptoms are severe, go to an emergency room. A tooth infection can spread quickly and affect not only your other teeth but also your entire body. Go to an emergency room right away if you have any of the following symptoms: a visibly swollen abscess, jaw or face, swelling that spreads down the face or neck, skin discoloration, fever, dizziness, low energy, vision problems, chills, nausea, vomiting, and aggravating or excruciating pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medications.

Method 2 of 2: Get medical treatment

1. Visit your dentist to have the abscess examined and the fluid removed. The dentist will likely first get the pus out of the abscess by making a small incision and letting the pus flow out. He or she will likely numb the painful area before that. Your dentist will then examine the area further to determine how to treat the abscess.
   • Keep in mind that in some cases it is not necessary to numb the area because the patient may not feel any pain at all. Sometimes some of the pus has already flowed out through a small hole in the gum, also called a fistula.
2. Get root canal treatment. Your dentist can recommend a root canal treatment that he or she carries out himself or that is performed by a specialist. During a root canal treatment, the dentist will drill into the tooth and remove the affected dental pulp, sterilize the entire root canal, fill and close the cavities in the tooth, and apply a filling, an inlay or even a crown when there is not enough dental material available. Teeth treated in this way can remain intact for the rest of your life if you take good care of them.
3. Have the tooth extracted. In some cases it is not possible or feasible to perform root canal treatment and the tooth will have to be extracted. A simple treatment only takes a few minutes. The dentist will first locally anesthetize the area and then cut away the gum tissue around the tooth. He or she will then grab the tooth with pliers and move it back and forth to loosen it. The dentist will eventually pull the tooth off.
   • Make sure you take good care of the cavity after your abscess treatment. Your dentist will give you detailed instructions on how to care for the area after the treatment, and it is important that you follow these instructions exactly. For example, you will need to use gauze pads to stop bleeding on the first day, create a blood clot in the cavity, and keep your mouth clean while the cavity heals.
   • Call your dentist right away if you experience problems, such as bleeding that will not stop or pain that has not gone away or comes back after a few days.
4. Take any antibiotics prescribed by your dentist. Antibiotics are an essential part of treatment if you have an abscess and are necessary to make sure that the infection disappears completely and does not come back. They can also help prevent severe pain, such as pain caused by alveolitis.
5. Remember that tooth abscess is a serious, life-threatening condition. It is important to get the abscess properly treated. If you are over 18 and do not have additional dental insurance, see if you can take out a payment arrangement. In any case, your dentist will have to draw up a budget if the treatment costs more than 250 euros. Extracting a tooth costs around 40 euros.
   • If the abscess is visible, which means you can see and touch a bump on your gum next to one of your teeth, your dentist will not be able to extract the tooth immediately. You will first need to take antibiotics for at least two days to reduce the risk of bacteria (bacteria in the bloodstream).
   • Don't hesitate to go to an emergency room right away if you have the symptoms of a severe infection. The doctors there will not be able to treat your tooth, but they are obliged to deal with the infection.