Emergency Dental Abscess
It may start with a dull ache in your tooth or maybe a sudden sharp pain that won’t go away. You tell yourself it’s nothing serious until your face begins to swell, and the pain becomes unbearable. What you might be dealing with could be a dental abscess, an infection that needs immediate attention. Ignoring it could lead to serious health complications, even hospitalisation.
Today, our South Perth Dentist wants to help you learn how to spot the early signs of a dental abscess, why a dental abscess is considered a dental emergency, and what to do next if you’re in Perth and need urgent care.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a collection of pus that is formed because of an infection inside your teeth or gums. You may ask what pus is; it is a combination of bacteria, white blood cells, and dead tissue. A tooth abscess will typically form when your body is fighting an infection, and it may look like a swollen, red bump or pimple. Dental abscesses affect the oral tissues, and if left untreated, the infection from an abscess may spread to the surrounding bone and neighbouring teeth. In severe cases, the infection from a tooth abscess may affect a person’s cheeks, gums, and even jawbone, which is why a dental abscess is considered an emergency, requiring prompt attention from an emergency dentist Perth.
Different Types of Dental Abscess
There are two main types of dental abscesses:
Periapical Abscess
A periapical abscess is a pocket of pus that forms at the tip of the root of a tooth. This type of tooth abscess occurs when a bacterial infection goes deep inside the tooth, typically because of a cavity (a hole caused by tooth decay) or a crack in the tooth. The infection can spread down to the root and cause inflammation, swelling, fever, or a general feeling of being unwell (called malaise). A periapical abscess can be painful because the buildup of pus puts pressure on the tooth and the surrounding area. If it’s not treated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body.
Cause: Infection of the pulp (nerve and blood supply) inside the tooth.
Primary Source: Usually due to untreated dental caries (tooth decay), trauma, or a cracked tooth that allows bacteria to reach the pulp.
Infection Path: The bacteria travel through the root canal and exit the tooth’s apex (tip), forming an abscess at the periapical region (tip of the root).
Key Feature: Starts inside the tooth and moves outward.
Periodontal Abscess
A periodontal abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in your gums next to a tooth. This type of tooth abscess forms in the gum tissue—not at the tip of the root like a periapical abscess. It happens when bacteria get trapped in the space between your tooth and gum, typically due to poor oral hygiene or gum disease. Food or plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) can build up in these spaces and cause an infection.
Your body tries to fight the infection, which leads to the formation of pus. The area becomes swollen, red, and painful, and it may even cause swelling in your face. You might also feel sick or develop a fever. If left untreated, the infection from a periodontal abscess can damage the bone that supports your tooth and may spread to other parts of your mouth—or even to other parts of your body.
Cause: Infection in the periodontal tissues (supporting structures around the tooth, like gums and ligaments).
Primary Source: Usually due to periodontal disease (gum disease), food impaction, or a foreign body (like a popcorn kernel) that causes a pocket or breach in the gum.
Infection Path: The bacteria invade the space between the tooth and the gum, forming an abscess in a periodontal pocket.
Key Feature: Starts in the gum or surrounding structures, not inside the pulp.
Common Symptoms of a Dental Abscess
If you have a dental abscess, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Severe, throbbing pain in your tooth or gum
- Swelling in the face or cheek
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Bad taste in your mouth or foul-smelling breath
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes under jaw/neck
- Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
Why Is a Dental Abscess an Emergency?
Please remember that a dental abscess is a dental emergency that requires urgent care from your dentist. A tooth abscess is a serious infection that will usually not go away on its own. The tricky part is that it may spread to other parts of your body and lead to more complications. If you do not seek urgent care for an abscess, the infection may move into your jaw, face, or even bloodstream and become life-threatening. That’s why you should never ignore the signs of a dental abscess and should arrange a visit with your dentist as soon as you can to stop the infection and prevent serious health problems.
How We Treat Dental Abscesses at Acts Dental Perth Clinic
Here are the steps our dentists typically take to treat an abscess effectively and save you from pain and discomfort:
Diagnostic steps
Our dentists will usually start by examining your mouth carefully and ask a couple of questions to understand what symptoms are mostly bothering you. This can help them understand the extent of the infection. They may also ask for dental X-rays to help them see the abscess clearly and understand if the infection has spread to nearby tissues or bones.
Drainage of the Abscess
Draining the pus will usually be the first step your dentist takes to reduce the pain you are tolerating. To do so, they may make a small incision in your gum or drain the infection through the tooth that is affected. When the pus is removed, your body can begin healing, and other treatments like antibiotics or root canal treatment will also be more effective.
Root Canal Treatment
Our dentists may need to perform a root canal if the abscess is caused by an infected tooth root. During the procedure, the dentist will remove the infected pulp from inside your tooth, clean the root canals, and seal them to prevent further infection. This procedure can save your tooth and eliminate the source of the abscess. It’s a very effective way to stop the infection at its root (literally!).
Tooth Extraction
In some cases, your tooth may be too damaged to be saved. In this case, we may have to extract your tooth to eliminate the source of infection and stop it from spreading to other areas. Don’t worry; if your only viable option is tooth removal, we will discuss tooth replacement options with you afterwards to find a suitable solution tailored to your specific situation.
Antibiotic Prescription
If the infection has spread or you are experiencing a fever, our dentists may prescribe antibiotics to help control the infection and support other treatment options we perform for an abscess. In case our dentists decide to give you antibiotics, you should complete the full course. Yes, even if the symptoms seem to be improving or have disappeared completely.
Deep Cleaning and Debridement
Sometimes, we may need to perform a deep cleaning procedure if gum disease has caused the abscess. By performing a deep cleaning procedure, our dentists can remove bacteria, plaque, and infected tissue and help stop the spread of infection. This cleaning procedure can support healing and may include scaling and root planing, depending on how deep the infection has gone.
Follow-up and Aftercare Planning
Our dentists may ask you to come for follow-up visits so that they can check your mouth and make sure the infection is fully gone and everything is healing properly. You will also receive personalised advice on how to care for the area at home and prevent future abscesses.
At our clinic, we care about your ongoing oral health just as much as your immediate relief!
What to Do If You Suspect a Dental Abscess
If you notice a dental abscess, here’s a list of what’s best to do:
- First of all, please don’t try to pop or drain the abscess yourself
- Make sure you rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water
- You can take over-the-counter pain medications if you are in too much pain
- You can apply a cold compress to help with the swelling
And finally, the most important step to take is to visit your emergency dentist Perth immediately so that they can create a personalised treatment plan for you and prevent further problems.
Preventing Future Dental Abscesses
The best way to avoid the pain and stress of a dental abscess is to take some simple steps every day. Here’s what we recommend:
Good Oral Hygiene Tips
One easy but essential step that can actually help prevent several dental problems is to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Proper oral hygiene can help remove harmful bacteria and food particles and keep your mouth clean. It is one of the best ways to prevent infections that can lead to abscesses. You can also brush your tongue and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash if your dentist recommends it.
Regular Dental Check-Ups
It is important that you see your dentist every six months because it allows them to catch problems early and before they can turn into more significant dental issues, such as a dental abscess. Routine check-ups and cleanings help keep your teeth and gums healthy and reduce the risk of abscesses. These visits are also a great chance to get personalised advice about how to take care of your teeth and gums to avoid future problems.
Early Treatment of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Cavities and gum infections are common causes of dental abscesses. Treating them early can stop bacteria from spreading deeper into the tooth or gums. If you notice pain, bleeding gums, or sensitivity, it’s best to see your dentist as soon as possible.
Wearing a Mouthguard If You Play Sports
Damaged or cracked teeth can cause bacteria to enter and lead to infections. Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard can help protect your teeth during physical activity and prevent injuries to your teeth.
Need Urgent Dental Care? We’re Ready!
Now that you’ve learned that a dental abscess is more than just a toothache, don’t wait—act quickly because dental abscesses are serious infections that can lead to severe health complications. So, if you suspect something is wrong, contact us as soon as possible by calling (08) 9474 5083.
The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of avoiding serious complications and protecting your health.
Acts Dental is proud to be a HCF preferred provider, NIB preferred provider, HBF preferred provider, Bupa preferred provider, and Medibank preferred provider dentist in Perth.