How to tell if you have a tooth abscess

We’ve all done it – felt a tinge of tooth pain and thought to ourselves, “Oh, it’s nothing.” “I’ll have it looked at later.” But what if it is more? What if what you think is something minor such as a cavity or teeth grinding issue, is something more serious like a tooth abscess? What’s a tooth abscess you ask? Here’s what you need to know.

A tooth abscess is an infection that takes on the form of a pus pocket. Common symptoms include severe toothache that won’t go away, facial swelling, drainage at the site of the throbbing tooth, or warm to the touch on the side of the face that is affected. Tooth abscesses are usually caused by a bacterial infection that results from severe tooth decay, untreated cavities, tooth injuries, gum disease, or prior dental work and does not go away on their own. If left untreated, the infection can quickly spread throughout the body and potentially lead to a life-threatening infection called sepsis.

If you are suffering from tooth pain, do not put off treatment! Call Jackson Dental at 573-243-5200 immediately and let our skilled dentists help you find relief from the pain using state-of-the-art technology and treatments.