How is an abscessed tooth diagnosed

Your tooth is hard on the outside, but the inside is filled with a pulp made up of nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. Sometimes it gets infected. There are two common types:. You can get more than one abscess.

Or one abscess can travel through the bone and show up in several spots. But each is related to only one tooth. They may tap on your tooth to see if it hurts. You may have: Throbbing pain, especially when you chew. Red, swollen gums. A bad, salty taste in your mouth. Swelling in your jaw or face. A fever. A red, swollen bump in your mouth. It may have blood or pus oozing from it. A tooth that is very tender or sore to the touch. How is an abscessed tooth diagnosed?

Your dentist may also take dental X-rays. How is it treated? An abscessed tooth needs treatment right away. Your dentist may: Give you antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Make a hole in the tooth to drain the infection and relieve the pain. Do a root canal to remove the infected pulp in the tooth.

Remove the tooth. This may be needed if you don't want a root canal, or if you have one and it doesn't work. You and your doctor can decide what's best for you. How can you prevent an abscessed tooth? The best way to prevent an abscessed tooth is to take good care of your teeth and gums: Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning and at night. Use fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association. Use dental floss to clean between your teeth every day. See your dentist for regular dental cleanings and checkups.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Periapical tooth abscess Open pop-up dialog box Close. Periapical tooth abscess Bacteria can enter the innermost part of the tooth through either a deep cavity or a chip or crack in your tooth. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert.

Dental abscess. Rochester, Minn. Dental hygiene. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Jan. Home oral care. American Dental Association. Toothache and infection. Merck Manual Professional Version. Abscessed teeth. American Association of Endodontists. Root canal treatment.