Do You Need Emergency Care for an Abscessed Tooth?

Pulsating toothaches that wake you up in the middle of the night aren’t normal. If your gum is swollen, or your tooth feels numb when you bite down, or your mouth fills with a salty taste recurrently, you may have an abscess—a pocket of pus due to an infection. Leaving it untreated lets the infection travel beyond the tooth. That’s why you should do something about it without delaying care.

What is an abscess?

An abscess can start inside the tooth (periapical abscess) or in the supporting tissues (periodontal abscess). Either way, bacteria and inflammation create pressure that causes deep, constant pain. Usual red flags include swelling, sensitivity to heat, and pain that worsens when lying down. If you’re searching for clear next steps, keep reading—your choices today matter. 

ER vs. same-day dental visit

You likely don’t need to visit the hospital if your breathing feels normal, and you can swallow or open your mouth without much trouble. Instead, call your emergency dentist in Rocklin for an urgent appointment. But take no time to visit the emergency room right away if you deal with any of he following:

• Fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
• Growing facial swelling
• Trouble swallowing or breathing
• Worsening pain along with swelling in the area beneath the tongue or around the eye

These signs suggest that the infection is possibly advancing towards deeper regions and needs prompt medical evaluation.

Why is early dental treatment essential?

Tooth infections won’t resolve on their own. To the contrary, tooth problems account for an estimated 2 million emergency room visits in the United States each year, many for pain that is best treated by an emergency dental care team within the same day. Early treatment prevents complications and gets you out of the ER for dental issues.

What treatment entails (today and tomorrow)

At the emergency dentist in Rocklin, you’ll receive a focused oral exam and dental X-rays to locate the source of the issue. Relief comes from removing the source of infection, not from “masking” it.

• Incision and drainage to release pressure if swelling is present
• Root canal therapy to disinfect the canal and save the tooth, or extraction if the tooth can’t be restored
• Antibiotics only when there is spreading infection or systemic signs (fever, malaise), and always with definitive dental treatment—not a band-aid fix

This action is in harmony with the American Dental Association guidelines for emergency dental infection.

What you can safely do until you’re seen

Take over-the-counter pain relievers to get rid of intense pain (unless otherwise advised by your emergency dentist). Rest your head back to reduce pressure at the site of infection. Apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek. Avoid heat compress, don’t try to “pop” the swelling, and never place aspirin on your tooth or gum—it will scald tissue and won’t help the infection. 

Is this a tooth abscess emergency?

Yes—if you have severe, persistent pain, swelling, or a massive pus-filled gum pimple. It’s a medical emergency if fever, facial swelling, or trouble swallowing/trouble breathing arises. In all cases, however, you do still need prompt dental care to drain the source of the infection and prevent complications.

If you’re in or near Rocklin, call Discover Dental Rocklin for same-day emergency help. Call now, let us know what you’re going through, and we’ll schedule an appointment for fast and comprehensive oral care.