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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of a tooth abscess include:
- Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting
- Fever
- Swelling in your face or cheek
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
- Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting fluid in your mouth and cessation of pain if the abscess ruptures
When to see a doctor
See your dentist promptly if you have any signs or symptoms of a tooth abscess. If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't access your dentist, go to an emergency room. Fever and swelling may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw and surrounding tissue or even to other areas of your body.
- Robertson D, et al. The microbiology of the acute dental abscess. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2009;58:155.
- Chow AW. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of odontogenic infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Chow AW. Complications, diagnosis, and treatment of odontogenic infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Cleaning your teeth and gums. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3072.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Nguyen DH, et al. Common dental infections in the primary care setting. American Family Physician. 2008;77:797.
- Endodontic treatment (root canal treatment). American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2890.aspx?currentTab=1#. Accessed May 23, 2010.
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