25 Mar Are Dental Abscesses Dangerous?
Dental abscesses are pockets of pus that develop because of infections inside a tooth or under the gums. Unfortunately, dental abscesses will not go away on their own and this is part of what makes them dangerous. The abscess will need to be drained and you will need a course of antibiotics to stop the infection from spreading to other parts of your body.
Why Is a Dental Abscess So Dangerous?
A dental abscess happens because of a prolonged, severe infection. If the abscess is not drained and the infection treated it can spread to other parts of the body. While a dental abscess can be dangerous for anyone, those with weakened immune systems have an increased risk of infections spreading rapidly.
Dental abscesses are dangerous because:
- Infections can spread from the abscess to your jaw, throat, neck, and even your brain.
- The infection can spread through the bloodstream and affect your entire body.
- Abscesses located under the sinus cavity can create an opening, leaking pus from the abscess into the sinus cavity. This can lead to life-threatening sepsis.
Sometimes when an abscess ruptures, the pain lessens and people might feel like the problem is solved. However, this is not true. The infection is still there, and it could be spreading the infection to other parts of the body. They still need treatment to resolve the issue that caused the abscess in the first place.
What to Do If You Have a Dental Abscess
If you think you have a dental abscess, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. If you have symptoms of an abscess along with a persistent fever, you may need urgent medical care.
Symptoms of a dental abscess include:
- Constant pain or throbbing in or around a tooth, the gums, or the jaw
- Pain or discomfort when biting down
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- High body temperature
- Blisters on the gums
- Bad breath
Seek urgent medical care if you have:
- Persistent fever
- Swelling in your face or throat
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
A Tooth Abscess Needs Urgent Treatment
Dental abscesses require treatment right away. First, your dentist will make an incision over the abscess to drain the pus. Depending on the severity of the infection, they may also place a removable tube. This will help keep the area open and able to drain.
Abscesses that form in the pulp of the tooth or at the root of a tooth may cause necrosis and your tooth will die. Depending on the extent of the damage, you might need a root canal or tooth extraction.
Your dentist will also prescribe a course of antibiotics to eliminate the infection and prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body.
Urgent Dental Care in Prescott, Arizona
From emergency dental care to checkups and cleanings, here at Hicks Dental Group, our dentists and hygienists offer the very best in dental care. If you are in pain or suspect you have a tooth abscess, don’t delay! We always reserve time for urgent appointments. Contact us to let us know you need urgent care, and we’ll see you at the earliest opportunity.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (3/25/25).Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash