How Do I Know If I Have a Tooth Abscess?
Are you experiencing an intense toothache? Have you noticed some swelling in your gums or jaw or a tooth that has changed color? You might find it difficult to open your mouth or you are dealing with bad breath or a sour taste in your mouth. These symptoms mean you most likely have a tooth infection.
Each tooth is full of nerves. Which is why a toothache can be so painful. Sometimes the pain can even be caused by a deeper oral health issue.
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that is located on the surface of your gums, or beneath the surface on the tips of the roots. It is the result of a bacterial infection and should be treated as soon as possible. A tooth abscess will not go away on its own.
Untreated tooth abscesses and infections can lead to life-threatening conditions since it is possible for the infection to spread to your blood and then your body. Without treatment, you will also risk losing the tooth.
The Symptoms of a Tooth Infection
Here is a wide variety of symptoms of a tooth infection or tooth abscess:
- An increased sensitivity to hot, cold, sugary, or acidic foods.
- A raised swelling around a tooth that may look like a pimple. This pimple can be an abscess. It is an infection-filled pocket that contains pus and bacteria.
- A throbbing or pulsating mouth pain. As the infection spreads, the swelling and growing bacteria put pressure on your gums and jaw, resulting in a throbbing sensation.
- Swelling of your gums, face, jaw, or surrounding lymph nodes.
- Headaches.
- The tooth begins to change color.
- Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth.
- A leaking or draining sore in the gum near the tooth.
- It becomes more difficult to move your jaw and open your mouth. You may struggle to speak or eat.
- The pain seems to increase when you lie down.
- An accompanying earache.
- A fever, which tells you that your body is fighting an infection.
- Feeling sick, which could include bodily symptoms unrelated to tooth pain, such as body aches and flu-like symptoms.
Common Causes of a Tooth Infection
- A cavity and untreated decay.
- Poor daily oral hygiene at home.
- An injury to your teeth or gums.
- A chipped or cracked tooth.
- A diet including excessive sugar or acidic foods.
- Damaged or broken dental work.
- A weakened immune system.
- Smoking.
- A dry mouth, which can cause an increased breeding ground for bacteria.
- An excessive buildup of plaque.
See Your Dentist if You Have Any Symptoms
An abscess will not disappear on its own. If left untreated, it can spread to your body. Your dentist will quickly treat your infected tooth by first draining the pus, then possibly a root canal or tooth extraction with antibiotics.
Your infection could be accompanied by a fever, which is your body trying to fight it. Even if the pain dissipates, this does not mean the infection is gone. A tooth infection can destroy the nerves causing the tooth pain, now spreading the infection further if left untreated.