Tooth Abscess Symptoms & Treatment
Near Houston, TX
Swollen gum? Throbbing tooth? Bad taste in your mouth? Here's what a tooth abscess is, how to spot one, and what treatment costs.
What Is a Tooth Abscess?
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It usually forms at the tip of a tooth root or in the gum next to a tooth. Bacteria get in through a deep cavity, a cracked tooth, a loose filling, or gum disease. Your body tries to wall off the infection, and that pocket is the abscess.
There are three main kinds. A periapical abscess forms at the tip of the root, usually after the nerve inside the tooth dies. A periodontal abscess forms in the gum and bone next to the tooth, often because of gum disease. A gingival abscess is only in the gum. Your dentist can tell which one you have with an exam and an X-ray. Each one is treated a little differently. Already have a crown on the sore tooth? Read about dental crown abscess treatment near Houston.
One thing to know right away: an abscess won't heal on its own. The sooner you get it treated, the easier and cheaper the fix usually is. You can also read the American Dental Association's page on tooth abscesses.
Tooth Abscess Symptoms: Signs to Watch For
Some people feel an abscess coming on slowly. For others it shows up fast. Here are the common signs. You can compare them with the list from Mayo Clinic.
- A bad, throbbing toothache. The pain can spread to your jaw, ear, or neck.
- Pain when you chew or bite. The tooth may feel sore when you press on it.
- A bump on your gum. It looks like a pimple near the sore tooth and may drain pus.
- Swelling. You might see it in your gum, cheek, or face on the side of the bad tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- A bad taste or bad breath that won't go away.
- A fever or swollen glands under your jaw or in your neck.
How an abscess is different from a regular toothache
A toothache from a cavity usually comes and goes. It acts up when you eat sweets or drink something cold, then settles down. Abscess pain is more constant. It throbs, often starts on its own, and can wake you up at night. It's also more likely to come with swelling, a bump on the gum, a bad taste, or a fever. If your pain sounds like that, don't wait it out.
Sometimes the pain suddenly stops and the bump on your gum starts to drain. That can mean the abscess burst. You may feel better, but the infection is still there. You still need to see a dentist.
When a Tooth Abscess Is an Emergency
Most abscesses need a dentist soon, but not a trip to the hospital. Still, a tooth infection can spread to your jaw, neck, and blood. Know the warning signs.
- Swelling in your face, jaw, or neck that keeps getting bigger.
- Trouble breathing or swallowing, or trouble opening your mouth.
- Swelling near your eye.
- A fever along with a fast heartbeat, chills, confusion, or feeling very weak.
If you have a sore tooth, a bump on your gum, or mild swelling and none of those signs, call an emergency dentist near Houston the same day. Don't wait to see if it goes away. An ER can slow down an infection, but it usually can't fix the tooth. You'll still need a dentist for that.
Tooth Abscess Treatment: How It Works
The goal is simple. Get rid of the infection at its source. Here's what that looks like:
The dentist looks at the area, tests the tooth, and takes an X-ray. This shows how far the infection has spread and whether the tooth can be saved.
The area is numbed. If needed, the dentist drains the abscess. This usually gives fast relief from the pressure and pain.
If the tooth can be saved, a root canal cleans out the infected nerve and seals the tooth. If it's too damaged, it's pulled so the infection can clear.
Your dentist may give you antibiotics, especially if you have spreading swelling or a fever. They help, but they don't fix the tooth by themselves. If you only take antibiotics, the abscess usually comes back.
A tooth with a root canal usually needs a crown to protect it. If a tooth was pulled, you can talk about a dental implant so your jaw bone stays strong and nearby teeth don't shift.
Root Canal or Extraction for an Abscessed Tooth?
People ask this a lot. The honest answer is that it depends on how much healthy tooth is left.
A root canal is usually the first choice if the tooth is strong enough to fix. You keep your own tooth, your bite, and the bone around it. The American Dental Association describes root canals as a way to save a tooth instead of removing it. Pulling the tooth makes more sense if it's cracked below the gum line, has lost a lot of bone, or is too damaged to rebuild. Once it's out, the infection can clear and you can plan a replacement. For more on how abscessed teeth are treated, see the American Association of Endodontists.
At Best Dental, root canals are done in our office with no referral to a specialist. They cost $750 for front teeth, $850 for premolars, and $950 for molars. Learn more on our affordable root canal near Houston page. Pulling a tooth is a flat $250 for any tooth, simple or surgical. You can read more on our affordable tooth extraction near Houston page.
The cheaper choice today isn't always cheaper in the end. A molar root canal and crown at Best Dental is $1,900. Pulling the tooth and adding an implant is $2,245. With the root canal, you also keep your natural tooth. Dr. Naderi will look at your X-ray and tell you which one makes sense for your tooth.
- Can this tooth be saved?
- What are my options, and what does each one cost?
- Will I need a crown or a replacement tooth after?
- What sedation options do you have if I'm nervous?
What to Do While You Wait for Your Appointment
These tips can ease the pain for a day or so. They don't cure the infection.
- Rinse with warm salt water a few times a day. Use about half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as the label says, if they're safe for you.
- Hold a cold pack on your cheek for 15 minutes at a time.
- Eat soft foods and chew on the other side.
- Keep brushing and flossing gently so the area stays clean.
- Pop, cut, or drain the abscess yourself.
- Put an aspirin or any pill right on your gum. It can burn the skin.
- Use heat on the swollen area. It can make the swelling worse.
- Take old antibiotics you have at home. The wrong drug or dose can cause problems, and it won't fix the tooth.
What Tooth Abscess Treatment Costs Near Houston
The price depends on what you need. Here's what Houston-area offices usually charge next to Best Dental's posted prices. No matter where you go, ask for the estimate in writing.
| Treatment | Houston Area Average | Best Dental (Richmond, TX) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-rays | $100 to $350 | $89 |
| Tooth extraction (simple or surgical) | $200 to $600 | $250 flat, any tooth |
| Root canal (front tooth to molar) | $900 to $2,000 | $750 to $950 by tooth type |
| Crown after root canal | $1,100 to $2,200 | $950 |
| Emergency fee | $50 to $300 at many clinics | $0 |
| IV sedation (full session) | $300 to $1,000+ | $500 |
Best Dental charges the same price for a same-day visit as a booked one. There's no emergency fee. Most PPO plans pay for the exam at or near 100%, extractions at about 70 to 80%, and root canals and crowns at about 50%. Your plan might be different. We check your benefits first and give you a written cost breakdown before we start. We offer in-house financing, Cherry, and CareCredit (see our Houston payment plan options). You can also see our pricing and PPO insurance pages.
Waiting costs more. A small, early abscess can often be fixed with one simple visit. One that's been ignored for weeks can mean a bigger treatment, a lost tooth, or a trip to the hospital.
How to Pick a Dentist for an Abscess
When you're hurting, you want a dentist who can see you fast and explain things in plain words. Look for these things:
- Fast appointments. Call and ask how soon they can check an infection.
- One office for everything, so you're not sent somewhere else for the exam, the extraction, and the follow-up.
- A clear answer on whether your tooth can be saved. They should show you the X-ray.
- A written estimate and a clear answer on insurance before treatment.
- Sedation options, if fear of the dentist is part of why you waited.
Why Houston Patients Come to Best Dental in Richmond
Best Dental is in Richmond, TX, about 25 minutes from Southwest Houston on US-59. If you have a toothache, swelling, or a bump on your gum, we'll take X-rays, show you what we see, and go over your choices and exact cost before we do anything. We have same-day appointments, so call early in the day and tell us you think you have an abscess.
Everything happens in one office. That includes the exam, the extraction or root canal, and the crown. We don't send you to another surgeon or specialist. Dr. Sonny Naderi has done more than 25,000 extractions in our office. We offer IV and oral sedation if dental fear kept you away. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm. If you have bad swelling or trouble breathing or swallowing after hours, go to the ER. You can read more on our emergency dentist near Houston page.
Tooth Pain or Swelling? Get Seen Soon.
Don't wait for an abscess to get worse. Best Dental is about 25 minutes from Southwest Houston, with same-day appointments. Book online or call us and tell us you think you have an infection.
