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Dental abscess

Abscessus dentalis (periapicalis) · Zubní absces

What it is

Pus at the root of a dead tooth or in the gum beside it — throbbing pain that can spread into the face and neck.

Symptoms & signs

  • Throbbing toothache, worse lying down
  • tooth tender to bite on
  • swollen face or gum
  • fever
  • bad taste as pus drains
  • trouble swallowing or breathing (emergency)

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Swelling of the face, neck or under the tongue with trouble breathing or swallowing
  • call 112 / 911 now Swelling spreading to the eye, or cannot open the eye
  • call 112 / 911 now Fever with a fast heartbeat or confusion
  • see a doctor soon Throbbing tooth pain or gum swelling — see a dentist today

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Drainage by root-canal treatment or extraction
  • incision of a gum abscess
  • antibiotics only if spreading or with fever
  • pain relief with ibuprofen and paracetamol

Natural & lifestyle

  • Salt-water rinses
  • twice-daily brushing and flossing
  • less sugar, regular dental checks

Emerging & experimental

  • Regenerative endodontics
  • antimicrobial photodynamic therapy

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Clove oil and garlic — numbing and antibacterial in the lab; the pus still needs draining anecdotal / traditional
  • Salt-water and hydrogen-peroxide rinses — reduce bacteria; stopgap only early / small studies
  • Waiting it out with herbs — an abscess can spread to the neck and airway not confirmed in trials

ICD codes