Tooth Abscess: symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as dental abscess, swollen jaw from tooth.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum, usually following untreated decay. It causes severe throbbing pain and facial swelling, and the infection can spread dangerously to the jaw and neck. It always needs a dentist — antibiotics alone do not fix the source.
Symptoms
Severe, persistent throbbing toothache
Pain spreading to the jaw, ear or neck
Facial or gum swelling
A tender lump on the gum, sometimes leaking pus
Fever
Bad taste in the mouth
Pain on biting or touching the tooth
Causes & risk factors
Untreated tooth decay reaching the nerve
Cracked or broken tooth
Advanced gum disease
Failed or incomplete previous dental treatment
Treatment & self-care
A dentist drains the pus and treats the source — root-canal treatment or extraction — often with a course of antibiotics; painkillers and warm salt-water rinses help while awaiting care. Do not press, lance or apply substances to the swelling at home. Untreated abscesses can spread to the neck and become life-threatening.
See a doctor urgently if
Facial swelling with fever
Swelling spreading toward the eye or neck — emergency
Difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing or breathing — emergency
Severe toothache not controlled by simple painkillers
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Tooth Abscess?
Early signs often include severe, persistent throbbing toothache, pain spreading to the jaw, ear or neck, facial or gum swelling. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Tooth Abscess be treated?
A dentist drains the pus and treats the source — root-canal treatment or extraction — often with a course of antibiotics; painkillers and warm salt-water rinses help while awaiting care. Do not press, lance or apply substances to the swelling at home. Untreated abscesses can spread to the neck and become life-threatening.
When should I see a doctor about Tooth Abscess?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: facial swelling with fever; swelling spreading toward the eye or neck — emergency; difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing or breathing — emergency; severe toothache not controlled by simple painkillers.