Dental Infection

What are common symptoms of a tooth infection?

The most common symptoms of a tooth infection are:

• A severe, persistent, or throbbing toothache
• Tooth pain when biting, chewing, or eating
• Tooth sensitivity to temperature change (hot and cold) and/or pressure
• A bad taste in the mouth
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Swelling of the gums and/or jaw
• Breathing or swallowing difficulties

Do I need antibiotics?

if the infection has spread to nearby teeth, your jaw or other areas, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading further.

Will the tooth infection go away on its own? How long does it take for incision and drainage to heal?

A tooth infection tied to an abscess won’t go away on its own. Pain may stop if the infection causes the pulp inside your tooth to die. The pain stops because the nerve isn’t functioning anymore, so you may not be able to feel it. However, the bacteria will continue to spread and destroy surrounding tissue.