Tooth Infection

Abscessed Tooth Symptoms: What to Look For

Throbbing pain, swelling or a bump on your gums? A dental abscess won’t heal on its own. Dr. Jon Jenson, endodontist, can often see you the same day to stop the infection and save your tooth.

A tooth abscess is a pocket of infection, usually at the tip of a tooth’s root. It hurts more than an ordinary toothache, and it gets worse with time rather than better.

The most common sign is a deep, throbbing pain that can spread into your jaw, ear or neck. Biting and chewing often make it worse, and even light pressure on the tooth can hurt. Hot and cold drinks may cause a sensitivity that lingers long after you’ve finished them.

You may also see changes in your mouth. The gums around one tooth can turn red, swollen and tender, and a small, pimple-like bump sometimes forms on the gum nearby. If that bump drains, you might notice a bad taste or bad breath that won’t go away. An infected tooth can also darken to gray or brown, which looks different from a coffee or tobacco stain.

If the pain suddenly stops, don’t assume the problem is over. That can mean the nerve inside the tooth has died while the infection keeps spreading.

Recognize these symptoms? Call 801-404-5810 and we’ll get you in fast.

What Causes a Tooth Abscess?

Every tooth has three layers. Hard enamel and dentin protect the pulp, the soft core of nerves and blood vessels at the center. When bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes infected, and that infection can travel out through the root tip into the surrounding bone.

Bacteria usually find their way in through deep decay, a crack or chip, or an old injury to the tooth, sometimes one from years earlier. Repeated dental work on the same tooth can open the door too, as can a failing filling, crown or previous root canal.

Will a Tooth Abscess Go Away on Its Own?

No. Antibiotics can calm the swelling for a while, but they can’t reach the infection inside the tooth. Until the source is removed, the abscess will keep coming back, and over time it can damage the jawbone or spread to other parts of the body.

How We Treat an Abscessed Tooth

For most abscesses, a root canal is the best way to clear the infection and keep your natural tooth. It’s the procedure Dr. Jon Jenson performs every day, and most patients feel relief soon afterward.

Treatment starts with a 3D CT scan, which shows exactly where the infection is, including details a standard X-ray can miss. Once the tooth is completely numb, Dr. Jenson removes the infected pulp, disinfects the inside of the root and seals the canals to keep bacteria out. Most cases are finished in a single visit. A severe infection may need a short second appointment so medication can clear it before the tooth is sealed.

When treatment is complete, we send your records to your general dentist, who places the final crown or filling to protect the tooth for the long term.

Sedation for Anxious Patients

If dental work makes you nervous, you have options. We offer laughing gas, oral sedation, and IV sedation given in our office by a licensed anesthesiologist. Dr. Jenson is the only endodontist in Utah County who provides in-office IV sedation, and many patients tell us they barely remember the procedure.

Other Treatment Options

If a root canal isn’t the right fit for your tooth, Dr. Jenson will tell you honestly. Depending on the situation, that could mean endodontic retreatment of an earlier root canal, an apicoectomy, or an extraction followed by a bridge or implant from your dentist.

“I had a horrible abscess in my molar and the day after my root canal I had almost zero swelling or pain.”

Jeff C.

Why Patients Choose Cascade Endodontics

An endodontist is a dentist with two to three additional years of training focused entirely on the inside of the tooth. Abscesses and root canals aren’t an occasional case for us. They’re what we do all day, with equipment built for precise work inside a tooth’s narrow canals.

We set aside time for emergencies, so abscess patients are often seen the same day they call. Dr. Jenson personally follows up after treatment, and our patients have a way to reach him if a concern comes up afterward. Our office sits at the mouth of Provo Canyon in Orem, an easy drive from Provo, Lehi, Springville, Heber and the rest of Utah County.

Abscessed Tooth FAQs

Is an abscessed tooth an emergency?

Yes. An abscess won’t heal without treatment, and the infection can spread. Call us as soon as you notice symptoms. If you have spreading facial swelling, a fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room.

Can antibiotics cure a tooth abscess?

No. Antibiotics may reduce swelling for a short time, but the infection remains inside the tooth. Removing the source, usually with a root canal and sometimes with an extraction, is what resolves it.

Does treating an abscessed tooth hurt?

The tooth is fully numbed, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Treatment relieves the pain the infection causes, and sedation is available if you’re anxious.

How quickly can I be seen?

We reserve time for emergencies and can often see you the same day. Call 801-404-5810 to check today’s availability.

Do I need a referral?

No. Many patients are referred by their dentist, but you’re welcome to call us directly.

How much does abscessed tooth treatment cost?

The cost depends on which tooth is affected and how complex the case is. Saving the tooth with a root canal generally costs less than removing and replacing it, and we’ll give you a clear estimate before treatment begins.

Can I just have the tooth pulled?

Sometimes extraction is the right choice, and Dr. Jenson will tell you if it is. Keeping your natural tooth usually means an easier recovery and avoids the cost of an implant or bridge.

Related services: Root Canals | Toothache Relief | Emergency Dental Care | Traumatic Injuries | Sedation Dentistry