How to Heal an Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is an infected tooth that generally occurs between the root and the gum and can come on either gradually or suddenly. The major signs are: localized pain in the mouth, fever, swelling, a foul taste and swollen neck (cervical) glands. Ideally, a dentist is the healthcare professional best suited to take care of a tooth abscess, but often times getting an emergency appointment with your dentist can be virtually impossible. Primary care providers can help with getting the infection under control, relieving pain and other symptoms, but all abscessed teeth should eventually be evaluated and treated by a dentist ASAP. Here are things you can do in the meantime.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or Tylenol
• Warm compresses
• Warm oral rinses
• Antibiotics (possibly)
• Evaluation and treatment by a DDS or DMD

1. 
    
   As you can see from this cartoon, the pathology of the infection is complex and requires a dentist to evaluate and treat.

   If you have developed an abscessed tooth and cannot get in to see your dentist immediately, attempt to get a same-day appointment with your medical provider or go to the nearest emergency room. However, the best option is a dentist. Your regular medical provider or the ER (unless they have a dentist or oral surgeon on call) will typically only be able to treat the symptoms. Diagnostics and dental treatment needs to be done by a dentist.

2. If you are not allergic or have other contraindications, take some over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. They may reduce the pain to a tolerable level. However, it is not uncommon to need a healthcare provider to prescribe a short course of narcotics to relieve acute pain.

3. Gargle with warm salt water or an oral rinse that has been recommended by your dentist or pharmacist. Warm water gargles are not only soothing, but help reduce inflammation that causes pain, and helps rinse out some of the bacteria that is causing the problem.

4. Apply warm compresses to the infection site on the jaw line, which may also be helpful.

5. Your dentist or medical provider may prescribe antibiotics to help with reducing the infection, which in turn helps with pain and swelling. However, as previously stated, more advance interventions may be needed as determined by your dentist.

6. Do not ignore an abscessed tooth. It will not "go away." Pain killers and antibiotics may make it feel better, but if there is an infection in the root, more extensive treatment by a dentist will most likely be necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis and after every meal.
• Set up regular appointments for dental exams and cleanings with your dental hygienist.
• Do not fall prey to old wives' tales such as soaking cotton in brandy (or other liquor) and placing it on the infected gum. Alcohol is high in sugar, which is literally "food" for bacteria. Also, alcohol is an irritating substance and can lead to tissue damage.
• Do not place and hold an aspirin on the infected tooth. This can only cause potential harm, make you nauseous and not help with the abscess at all.

[RFerriANP]

on 9/30/2009 Hey folks I am in Italy and commenting back is a little awakward. However, an infected tooth with abscess needs medical-dental evaluation and possible intervention. An infection is simply not going to self resolve. If left unresolved the infection can migrate to many places and the oral cavity is a portal to many organs including the brain and eyes...clicking your heels three times only resolves problems in movies...more later when I am back...esp about other comments about flu shots and conspiracy theories.

[bambi1074]

on 9/29/2009 Real good advice,keep your teeth and gums healthy. Recommended 5*

[jaredbangerter]

on 9/18/2009 Interesting. I really should do this. I've had quite a bit of pain from a tooth that I suspect has been developing an abscess over the last ~9 months.

I've been doing an ayurvedic treatment called Oil Pulling that's supposed to help with all kinds of health problems, so I suspect that's been what's keeping the abscess controllable lately.

I'll be posting how to do Oil Pulling in article in a bit.

[babblebubble]

on 9/3/2009 Isn't this also the kind of thing that can be fatal if not treated? Or do I have that mixed up with something else?

[mizzshady]

on 9/3/2009 thank you this is very much needed advice. 5* and I recommend you also.