“I am getting abscesses in my infected tooth. How do I treat them?”

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Dentist Questions Abscess

“I am getting abscesses in my infected tooth. How do I treat them?”

I have an infected tooth which is now becoming a big concern as it is getting abscesses. What should I do to treat this infected tooth?

36 Answers

How critical is a wisdom tooth abscess infection?

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**Dr. Shetal Parikh** Dentist Suwanee, GA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Shetal Parikh Dentist Suwanee, GA

See your dentist immediately

**Brooke S. Mossaded** Dentist Ridgewood, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Brooke S. Mossaded Dentist Ridgewood, New Jersey

You need to see a dentist asap.

**Andrew M. Moskowitz** Dentist Purdys, New York · Accepted Answer

Andrew M. Moskowitz Dentist Purdys, New York

See your dentist. A radiograph (X-ray ) is needed and an antibiotic will usually be prescribed. The problem needs to be diagnosed to determine what treatment is needed.

**Dr. Shaun E. Soucie** Dentist Castle Rock, Colorado · Accepted Answer

Abscessed teeth require endodontic therapy if there is sufficient healthy tooth structure to maintain the tooth. Otherwise, the tooth may need to be extracted if there is extensive decay present. I recommend elimination of the bacteria within the tooth be eliminated prior to completion of the root canal. Abscessed teeth contain bacteria and can only be eliminated by dressing them with medication that is antibacterial. Single visit root canals on abscessed teeth only serve to trap bacteria within the small developmental pores of the tooth. Most endodontist perform all root canals in a single visit regardless of the vitality and bacterial presence within the tooth. These cases are always multiple visits (usually 2 as it depends on the size of the infection). We want to see elimination of the symptoms, elimination of the bacteria and bone healing prior to completion of your root canal to verify that our treatment. is working.

**Neal Nealis** Dentist Chicago, IL · Accepted Answer

Neal Nealis Dentist Chicago, IL

That abscess will pump dangerous bacteria into your body. Depending upon the location of the tooth you run the risk of developing an infection in your brain or heart. See your dentist immediately.

**Dr. Frank V. Peritore** Dentist Brooklyn, New York · Accepted Answer

Dr. Frank V. Peritore Dentist Brooklyn, New York

An abscessed tooth would either need to be extracted and replaced or have a root canal. You need to be seen immediately. This can become dangerous.

**Maxim Bondarenko** Dentist · Accepted Answer

Maxim Bondarenko Dentist

You will require root canal treatment to hang on to the tooth and a crown to maintain it long term. Other option is extraction and dealing with space by either placing a bridge or implant which is the best option in terms of longevity

**Dr. Bobbi Peterson** Dentist Brooklyn, New York · Accepted Answer

Dr. Bobbi Peterson Dentist Brooklyn, New York

If you are developing an abscess in an infected tooth you should see a dental specialist asap! Swelling within your dental tissues is a sign of infection and cannot be treated effectively with home remedies. Go see your dentist and she or he will more than likely prescribe an antibiotic

**Dr. Michael Mark Blicher** Dentist Washington, DC · Accepted Answer

Dr. Michael Mark Blicher Dentist Washington, DC

See a dentist immediately!!!!!

Michael M. Blicher, DDS

**Dr. William Brantly Mozo** Dentist South Plainfield, NJ · Accepted Answer

Dr. William Brantly Mozo Dentist South Plainfield, NJ

Root canal or extraction

**Dr. Scott M. Dubowsky** Dentist Bayonne, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Dr. Scott M. Dubowsky Dentist Bayonne, New Jersey

Go see a dentist ASAP!

**Kimberly Noland Hendrix** Dentist Chatsworth, Georgia · Accepted Answer

If a tooth is becoming abscessed and infected, the tooth will either need to be extracted or need root canal treatment if there is enough tooth left to restore. Simply putting a filling in will not help the infection and often makes it worse as it "bottles up" infection inside the tooth. I can't give you a definite answer without seeing yours, but I would consult a dental professional in your area ASAP as dental infections can spread and become life-threatening.

**Henry Buhl** Dentist Chattanooga, Tennessee · Accepted Answer

If the abscess has a company in swelling and you have a fever and point tenderness in the area where the abscess is forming either along the gumline or possibly at the neckline, you'll need quick attention with antibiotics. This will Abate the swelling and clear up the infection so that you can make a decision whether to save if possible the tooth by way of a root canal by an endodontist, or make an appointment for an extraction of the tooth. Time is of the essence as these infections can spread two other organs including the heart.

**Dr. Young H. Kim** Dentist Burke, Virginia · Accepted Answer

Dr. Young H. Kim Dentist Burke, Virginia

The tooth needs to be pulled or have root canal treatment ASAP.

Young Kim, D.M.D, P.C.

**Keith Blessitt** Dentist Nokomis, Florida · Accepted Answer

Keith Blessitt Dentist Nokomis, Florida

Have the tooth root canal treated or have it taken out are your options. Having a dentist evaluate it first would be your best way to make that decision. Hope that helps.

Dr.B

**Carrie Hui** Dentist Toronto, Ontario · Accepted Answer

See your dentist.

An infected tooth typically requires root canal treatment to remove the source of the infection. An abscessed tooth indicates that the infection has progressed and affected the bone and the gums. Your dentist will likely prescribe an antibiotic to bring down some of the infection first before treating the tooth. You do not want to delay treatment as the infection continues to damage the bone around the tooth.

**Dr. Justin P. Rader** Dentist Coeur d'Alene, Idaho · Accepted Answer

Dr. Justin P. Rader Dentist Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

An abcess related to a tooth is not resolved the same way an abcess in soft tissue of the body. Antibiotics can calm it down for about a month, but will needed dental treatment from a dentist. With possible options as extraction if the tooth is unrestorable or Root canal and crown to save the tooth.

**Dr. Michael Acquista** Dentist Brooklyn, NY · Accepted Answer

Dr. Michael Acquista Dentist Brooklyn, NY

You need either a root canal, post and crown OR an extraction. This is not medical advice, it is just my opinion.

**Roman George Hrabar** Dentist North Vancouver, British Columbia · Accepted Answer

Roman George Hrabar Dentist North Vancouver, British Columbia

Use antibiotics against bacteria involved or have tooth removed

**Dr. Adrian L. Patterson** Dentist Burke, Virginia · Accepted Answer

Dr. Adrian L. Patterson Dentist Burke, Virginia

I always remind my patients that the blood that supplies your teeth also supplies your vital organs. Bottom line see your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Dental infections can be life threatening.

**Dr. Daniel Bishop** Dentist Salt Lake City, Utah · Accepted Answer

Tooth infections that are ignored can become life threatening and may end up becoming a medical emergency requiring a very expensive visit to the hospital. It is extremely important to get the root canal therapy on the tooth if it can be saved. If it cannot be saved it needs to be extracted or the infection will continue to grow. If you are in Utah I would be happy to take a look at it for you and see what needs to be done to fix the problem. At the very least you need to see a dentist and get a prescription for an antibiotic to reduce the infection, but it will only be a temporary one to two week fix and then the problem will return if it is does not receive the Root Canal Therapy. -Dr. Bishop

**William Slade Prusin** Dentist Scarborough, Ontario · Accepted Answer

William Slade Prusin Dentist Scarborough, Ontario

Please call for an appoint. We will see you right away

**Sura Hadad** Dentist Halifax, Nova Scotia · Accepted Answer

Sura Hadad Dentist Halifax, Nova Scotia

You should test the source of infection and that means treating the tooth. So a dentist should check it and with that you need antibiotics too.

**Dr. Gehan Girgis** Dentist Rochester Hills, Michigan · Accepted Answer

Now that you have an abscess,your dentist will recommend that the tooth would need an endodontic treatment, which is the removal of the infected, inner, soft tissue located in the middle of the root, called the pulp and replace it with a filling material. Then your tooth will become healthy again.It will also require a cap (a crown), to protect it from breakage. If the abscess is causing any swelling or fever, an antibiotic treatment of choice would be Amoxicillin unless you have penicillin allergy, antibiotic to take would be Clindamycin. These medications would require prescriptions.

**Dr. Arthur H. Boss** Dentist Corpus Christi, TX · Accepted Answer

Dr. Arthur H. Boss Dentist Corpus Christi, TX

You can't treat them...go to the dentist quickly...the dentist can determine the cause of the infection and treat you as needed for the type of abscess that you have. Infections can be dangerous.

**Dr. Francisco Portillo Ramos** Dentist San Antonio, TX · Accepted Answer

You must consult with a dentist, not having any diagnostic information may render inaccurate advise, but generally if you have an infection, these are some possibilities. Infection is usually because you either have gum disease or a dead tooth nerve, the severity of the problem will usually determine the options. There are other rare problems, but one thing for sure, you should seek professional treatment immediately as these problems can become life threatening.

**Joel M. Moskowitz** Dentist Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Joel M. Moskowitz Dentist Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

YOU CANNOT TREAT THEM. Your dentist can determine the cause of the abscess and then treat it accordingly.

**Dr. Rita Salvi Platt** Dentist Chicago, Illinois · Accepted Answer

Dr. Rita Salvi Platt Dentist Chicago, Illinois

See a dentist asap.

**Dr. Paul Michael Lanzisera** Dentist Colorado Springs, Colorado · Accepted Answer

Dr. Paul Michael Lanzisera Dentist Colorado Springs, Colorado

Root canal if restorable or extract (don't want infection staying there).

**Nathan Le** Dentist Cambridge Park, New South Wales · Accepted Answer

Nathan Le Dentist Cambridge Park, New South Wales

You should see a dentist! Treatment will be either keep the tooth by doing Root Canal Therapy or to have that tooth removed.

**Dr. Thomas T. Pham** Dentist Surprise, AZ · Accepted Answer

Dr. Thomas T. Pham Dentist Surprise, AZ

The cause of the infection needs to be addressed. Antibiotics can help short term but if the cause of infection must be dealt with. Extraction or Root Canal Therapy are likely treatments. Abscesses can be very dangerous, please don't wait to be seen by a dentist.

**Sharon Snell Jordan** Dentist Macon, Georgia · Accepted Answer

Sharon Snell Jordan Dentist Macon, Georgia

Seek professional care as soon as possible.

**Kenneth Hamin** Dentist Winnipeg, Manitoba · Accepted Answer

Kenneth Hamin Dentist Winnipeg, Manitoba

First an x-ray and clinical exam will determine if the tooth can be saved as well as where the jnfection is coming from. It could be from the pulp of the tooth or the structures around the tooth that support it, i.e., the gums.

**Dr. Kayee Ho** Dentist Littleton, CO · Accepted Answer

Dr. Kayee Ho Dentist Littleton, CO

If you have an abscess tooth, you will need a root canal or get the tooth extracted.

**Afsoon Gerayli** Dentist Reseda, California · Accepted Answer

Afsoon Gerayli Dentist Reseda, California

You should immediately see a dentist.

**Carla H. Schlissel** Dentist West Islip, New York · Accepted Answer

You should see a dentist as soon as possible. You will probably need antibiotics and either a root canal or extraction. You already know it's infected. The abscesses indicate that the infection is destroying the bone around it and, depending on where it is, can get into your system. It can also affect and infect teeth on either side of it. Don't wait and don't let fear stop you.

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