A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in or around a tooth. It usually starts with decay, a crack, or gum disease that lets bacteria reach the soft inner part of the tooth (the pulp) or the bone around the root. Our Dental Abscess Treatment team at Dental Specialists of Turramurra drains the infection, treats the cause, and stops it from coming back.
If you have a throbbing tooth or a swollen face, call us on (02) 9488 7455 straight away. This guide explains what an abscess is, the warning signs, and what treatment looks like.
What is a dental abscess?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms when bacteria infect the inside of a tooth, the gum, or the bone around the root. The body sends white blood cells to fight the infection, and the battle creates pus. Because the pus has nowhere to drain, it builds up and presses on the nerve and the bone, which is why an abscess is usually painful, urgent, and should not be left.
There are two main types of dental abscess.
Both types need urgent treatment. The infection will not clear up on its own.
What are the symptoms of a dental abscess?
The most common signs are a throbbing toothache that does not settle with pain relief and can wake you at night; swelling in the gum, often with a small bump that looks like a pimple; swelling in the face, cheek, or jaw; a bad taste in the mouth; sensitivity to hot and cold; pain when biting or chewing; fever or feeling unwell; and a loose tooth in the area. If the abscess drains on its own, the pain can drop suddenly. This is not the abscess going away - the infection is still there and still needs treatment.
When is a dental abscess an emergency?
A dental abscess is a dental emergency. Most can be treated the same day, and a same-day visit often saves the tooth. Call us on (02) 9488 7455 straight away.
Go straight to hospital if swelling is spreading into your neck, throat, or under your tongue, or if you have trouble swallowing, opening your mouth, or breathing, or a high fever. A dental abscess is rarely life-threatening, but in a small number of cases the infection can spread.
How is a dental abscess treated?
Treatment has three goals: get the infection out, treat the cause, and stop it from coming back.
Drain the infection. Our team makes a tiny opening in the abscess to let the pus out, or treats the tooth from the inside. Drainage brings quick pain relief.
Treat the cause. For a periapical abscess, the choices are root canal treatment to save the tooth, or removal if the tooth cannot be saved. For a periodontal abscess, the choices are deep cleaning of the gum pocket, gum surgery, or removal if the bone support is gone.
Stop it from coming back. Once the cause is treated, our team plans any further work the tooth needs (a crown after a root canal) and helps you build a home-care routine to lower the risk of the next infection.
For patients who feel anxious about treatment, our team uses a computerised anaesthetic unit that delivers local anaesthetic drop by drop through a tiny point, so numbing is gentler than a conventional needle.
Will I need antibiotics?
Not always. A dental abscess is treated by draining the infection and fixing the cause, not by antibiotics alone. Antibiotics help when the infection has spread beyond the tooth (facial swelling, fever, swollen lymph nodes). Our team will tell you if antibiotics are needed in your case.
How can I stop an abscess coming back?
Most abscesses are preventable. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and limit sugary and acidic food and drink. Visit the dentist every 6 months for a check-up and clean so small problems are caught early.
If you have a history of gum disease or repeated abscesses, our team can put together a more detailed prevention plan at a General Dental Services visit.
Book an emergency abscess visit in Turramurra
If you have a sore, swollen tooth or a bad taste that will not go away, our team at Dental Specialists of Turramurra is here to help. Call (02) 9488 7455 to book a same-day visit. The practice is at Suite 1-2, 1335 Pacific Highway, Turramurra NSW 2074, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Our lead prosthodontist Dr Anthony Au and our team will find the cause, drain the infection, and start the right treatment straight away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dental abscess go away on its own?
No. A dental abscess does not clear up without treatment. Even if the pain settles because the abscess has drained, the infection is still there. Without drainage and treatment of the cause, the abscess usually comes back.
How do I know if my abscess is an emergency?
A dental abscess is always a dental emergency. Call us straight away if you have any of the signs above. Go to a hospital if the swelling is spreading into your neck or throat, or if you have trouble breathing, swallowing, or opening your mouth.
Can a tooth with an abscess be saved?
Often, yes. A periapical abscess is usually treated with a root canal, which lets you keep the tooth. If the tooth is too damaged, removal may be the only option. Our team will explain the choices for your tooth after the examination.