Why does an abscess tooth hurt

Read on to learn more about the different types and how to recognize them. The main symptom of an abscessed tooth is throbbing pain near a tooth or in your gums. The pain usually comes on suddenly and gets worse over time. You might also notice a sudden bad taste in your mouth as the pus drains out.

Bacteria getting into your teeth or gums leads to a dental abscess. However, the way this happens depends on the type of abscess:. Treatment for an abscessed tooth focuses on clearing up the infection and relieving pain. Depending on your symptoms, your dentist might start with a dental X-ray. This will help them see whether the infection has spread to other areas. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water may also help. You can purchase over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication online. Left untreated, an infection can spread to your jaw and other parts of your head and neck, including your brain.

In rare cases, it can even lead to sepsis. This is a life-threatening complication of an infection. An abscessed tooth should clear up within a few days of treatment.

If you have a weakened immune system and you leave a tooth abscess untreated, your risk of a spreading infection increases even more. Avoiding tooth decay is essential to preventing a tooth abscess. Take good care of your teeth to avoid tooth decay:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Periapical tooth abscess Open pop-up dialog box Close. Periapical tooth abscess Bacteria can enter the innermost part of the tooth through either a deep cavity or a chip or crack in your tooth.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Dental abscess. Rochester, Minn. Dental hygiene. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Jan. Home oral care. Depending on the location of the abscess and how severe the infection is, possible treatments include:.

Local anaesthetic will usually be used to numb your mouth for these procedures. More extensive operations may be carried out under general anaesthetic , where you're asleep. Antibiotics are not routinely prescribed for dental abscesses, but may be used if the infection spreads or is particularly severe. Your mouth is full of bacteria, which form a sticky film on your teeth called plaque.

If you do not keep your teeth clean, acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can damage your teeth and gums, leading to tooth decay or gum disease. You can reduce your risk of developing dental abscesses by keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Read more on how to keep your teeth clean and dental check-ups. Page last reviewed: 05 February Next review due: 05 February Dental abscess. They can sometimes spread to other parts of the body and make you ill.

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 and gets gradually worse 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, which may disturb your sleep redness and swelling in your face a tender, discoloured or loose tooth shiny, red and swollen gums sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature fever and feel generally unwell.

What to do if you have a dental abscess You should see a dentist as soon as possible if you think you have a dental abscess.