Emergency Walk-in Dentist Appointment for a Tooth Infection

What Are the Symptoms of a Tooth Infection?

While every patient is different, and not everyone will experience all symptoms simultaneously, here are common signs that you may have a tooth infection.

Continuous or Worsening Toothache

A lingering toothache is often the first indication that something is wrong. When infected, the tissues and nerves inside the tooth become inflamed. This creates pressure inside the tooth that can cause sharp or throbbing pain.

Patients often feel pain in and around the infected tooth. However, you may also experience discomfort in these areas:

• Gums
• Cheek or face
• Jaw
• Neck
• Temples
• Ears
• Sinuses

Swelling in Gums, Cheek, or Neck

The inflammation caused by the tooth infection can also lead to swollen gums, cheeks, and neck glands. You may notice your gums swelling over the tooth as the infection spreads and worsens. This swelling can make it uncomfortable to eat, swallow, and speak. 

Bad Breath or Taste in Your Mouth

A tooth infection is caused by the spread of bacteria inside the tooth. Eventually, an abscess will form, and pus will ooze from the gums. This will cause a foul odor and bitter taste in your mouth that does not go away after brushing your teeth.

Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Temperatures

An infection aggravates the nerves inside the tooth, making them more sensitive to stimuli. While it is painful to bite down on the tooth, you may also notice an increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. For example, drinking hot coffee or cold water can cause a sharp increase in pain.

Possible Fever

The body’s natural response to an infection is to increase its temperature. People with a tooth infection may experience a low-grade fever as the body tries to fight the spread of bacteria. However, a fever may indicate that the infection has spread to other parts of the body, and you should seek emergency medical attention.

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How Does an Emergency Dentist Treat a Tooth Infection?

An emergency dentist will examine the area and discuss your symptoms. Understanding the cause of a toothache will determine if you have an infection. If the dentist confirms your tooth infection, they will likely complete the following steps to get your dental health back on track.

Immediate Pain Relief

For many patients, a tooth infection can cause extreme pain that prevents you from going about your regular routine. A dentist can apply a topical anesthetic or inject a local anesthetic to numb the area and provide relief immediately.

After the area is sufficiently numbed, you may need urgent treatment for the tooth infection. Depending on the severity of the infection and your personal needs, your dentist may suggest a root canal, tooth extraction, or other procedure to clear the infected tissue and prevent further damage.

Draining the Tooth Abscess

If you develop a tooth abscess, the dentist must drain the pus and alleviate pressure inside the tooth. This will also help with pain relief in your face, jaw, and neck glands.

A small incision is made in the abscess to release the infection. Your dentist will then suction and irrigate the area with saline to rinse away the pus. In some cases, a drain will need to be inserted into the abscess to completely clear the infected pus. Patients will need to see their dentist for a follow-up after one or two days to remove the drain and evaluate the infection.

Root Canal

The most common treatment for a tooth infection is a root canal. This procedure involves several steps:

1. After the patient is numbed or sedated, the dentist opens the tooth by drilling a hole in the crown, exposing the infected pump chamber
2. Using special dental tools, the infected tooth pulp, nerves, and blood vessels are removed
3. The dentist rinses the pulp chamber and root canals with dental disinfectant to clean the tooth and ensure no infection remains
4. The empty chamber and root canals are then filled with gutta percha, a special material derived from Malaysian percha trees. It is heated and compressed into the tooth to fill the space
5. The tooth is sealed with dental cement to keep bacteria out
6. Lastly, your dentist will place a dental crown over the tooth to restore your smile and protect the tooth

Tooth Extraction

When an infection or damage is too severe to save the tooth, your dentist may have to remove it. A tooth extraction is also a common procedure for an infected wisdom tooth that is not functional. With a tooth extraction, the dentist will remove the entire tooth, including the roots. This keeps the infection from spreading to other parts of the mouth and body.

If you suspect you have a wisdom tooth infection, don’t wait to contact an emergency dentist. The condition will worsen on its own and potentially damage surrounding tissues and blood vessels.

Antibiotic Treatment

After an emergency root canal or other procedure to treat an infected tooth, the dentist usually prescribes antibiotics to help your body fight further infection. The medication supports the healing process, so it’s essential to take them as directed.

When Should You See Your Dentist for an Infected Tooth?

You should see your dentist as soon as you can for a tooth infection. If you wait too long, the infection will spread and cause complications that require extensive treatments. By catching the issue early, it’s more likely the dentist can save the tooth and prevent more damage.

Can a Tooth Infection Go Away on Its Own?

No, a tooth infection will not clear on its own. You must see a dental professional for a full evaluation and treatment. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances are of preventing a more serious infection that can impact your overall health.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat a Tooth Infection?

An untreated tooth infection can eventually lead to severe and life-threatening complications, including:

• Infection in the jawbone
• Infection in the face and neck
• Sepsis or an improper immune response to infection
• Endocarditis or infection of the heart
• Bacterial meningitis or infection of the brain

Get Affordable Tooth Infection Treatment at Absolute Dental

If you have a lingering toothache that is not getting better, it’s time to see your dentist. You may have a tooth infection that will worsen without proper treatment. At Absolute Dental, our skilled emergency dentists are ready to help. We even have special offers, flexible payment plans, and our Smile Saver program to make dental care more affordable.

Contact our team to find the closest location to see a dental professional immediately. We take emergency patients as soon as possible without the need for an appointment.
Join Smile Saver now for discounts on dental care.

Sources:

Erazo, D., et al. (2023). Dental Infections.

Gutta Percha: What Is It And When Is It Used? (2023).

Heath, P. (2022). How To Drain a Tooth Abscess.

Schulman, J. (2021). Is It Possible to Die from a Tooth Infection?

Tooth abscess. (2022).