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Tooth abscess

Symptoms

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Symptoms of a dental abscess

Symptoms of an abscess in your tooth or gum may include:

  • an intense, throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum that may come on suddenly andgets gradually worse
  • pain that spreads toyour ear, jaw and neck on the same side as the affected tooth or gum
  • pain that's worse when lying down, which may disturb your sleep
  • redness and swelling inyour face
  • a tender, discoloured and/or loose tooth
  • shiny, red and swollen gums
  • sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
  • bad breath and/or an unpleasant taste in your mouth

If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature (fever) and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open your mouth and have difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016

Articles for tooth abscess
Introduction

A dental abscess is a collection of pus that can form inside the teeth, in the gums, or in the bone that holds the teeth in place. Its caused by a bacterial infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an abscess in your tooth or gum may include: an intense, throbbing pain, pain that spreads to your ear, jaw and neck on the same side as the affected tooth or gum, pain that's worse when lying down, etc.

Treatment

Dental abscesses are treated by removing the source of the infection and draining away the pus. Depending on the location of the abscess and how severe the infection is, possible treatments are used like: removing the affected tooth, root canal treatment, etj.

Causes

Your mouth is full of bacteria, which form a sticky film on your teeth called plaque. If you don't keep your teeth clean, acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can damage your teeth and gums, leading to tooth decay or gum disease .

Prevention

You can reduce your risk of developing dental abscesses by keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible by use floss or an interdental brush at least once a day to clean your teeth, brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, avoid rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash after brushing, etc.

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