A Dental Abscess Will Not Clear on Its Own
An abscess is an active infection, and it only moves in one direction: worse. Call us first thing and we will make a plan for your emergency. We prioritize patients in pain.
What to do right now
Signs of an abscess include throbbing pain, a swollen or tender gum, a pimple-like bump, a bad taste in your mouth, fever, or swelling in your face or jaw. While you get in touch with us, these steps can help you stay comfortable.
- 1
Rinse with warm salt water
Half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, swished gently a few times a day, helps keep the area clean and can ease the ache. It does not treat the infection itself.
- 2
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen, used as the label directs, can make the wait bearable. Never place aspirin against the gum; it burns the tissue.
- 3
Use a cold compress, never heat
A cold pack on the outside of your cheek reduces pain and swelling. Avoid heating pads and hot compresses on your face; heat can encourage the infection to spread.
- 4
Do not squeeze or pop the swelling
Pressing on a pimple-like bump on the gum or trying to drain it yourself pushes bacteria deeper. If it drains on its own, rinse and spit gently, and still come in; the infection is not gone.
- 5
Call us right away
An abscess never resolves on its own. Even if the pain suddenly stops, the infection is still there and still spreading. Call us and we will make a plan for your emergency.
Call (603) 924-3664
How we clear the infection
We find the source of the infection
An exam and an X-ray show us where the abscess sits and where it started: deep decay, a cracked tooth, a failing old restoration, or gum disease. The source decides the treatment.
We stop the pain and control the infection
That usually means numbing the area, draining the abscess to release the pressure, and prescribing antibiotics when they are appropriate. Most patients feel dramatically better once the pressure is gone.
We treat the cause so it cannot come back
Antibiotics alone are a pause button, not a cure. If the tooth cannot be saved, we handle extractions and replacements in-house. If a root canal is needed to save it, we coordinate promptly with trusted specialists.
When to go to the ER instead
We have to be direct about this one. An untreated abscess can spread beyond the tooth into the face, neck, and bloodstream, and at that point it becomes a medical emergency, not a dental one. Go to the emergency room or call 911 first if you have:
- Swelling in your face or neck that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- Swelling spreading toward your eye or down your neck
- A high fever, chills, or feeling confused or very unwell
- Trouble opening your mouth, or bleeding you cannot control
The hospital can stabilize the infection, but it cannot fix the tooth that caused it. Once you are medically stable, call us so we can treat the source and end the cycle.
The infection won't wait. Neither should you
Even if the pain eases, the abscess is still there. Call our Grove Street office and we will make a plan to treat the infection at its source.
- New patients welcome
- Most insurance accepted