Infection and Tooth Abscess Treatment
Facial swelling or a dental abscess treated promptly in Anchorage, AK with drainage, antibiotics dispensed on-site and a plan that addresses the underlying cause.
What Is a Tooth Abscess?
An abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the surrounding gum. It forms when bacteria reach the inner part of the tooth through decay, a crack or an injury, and the body walls the infection off in a pocket of pus.
Dental infections are serious and do not resolve on their own. Left alone, an abscess can spread into the jaw, the neck and the airway. If your face is swelling, treat it as urgent and call us today.
Who Should Be Seen for a Dental Infection?
Call right away if you notice any of these signs, and go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Swelling in the face, cheek or jaw
- A gum bump that drains or tastes foul
- Constant, throbbing pain in one tooth
- Fever along with a painful tooth
- Tender or swollen glands in your neck
- Pain that spreads toward the ear or jaw
What Should I Expect for Treatment?
Urgent Evaluation
We examine and image the area right away to find the source and judge how far the infection has spread.
Drain and Relieve Pressure
When an abscess is pointing, draining it releases the pressure that is driving so much of the pain.
Antibiotics On-Site
We dispense antibiotics at the office, including during evening visits, so you are not hunting for a pharmacy.
Treat the Cause
Once the infection calms we handle the source with a root canal or an extraction so it does not come back.
Can You Really See Me Today?
We hold room in the schedule every day, including evenings and weekends, for infections and swelling like yours. Call us and we will do everything we can to get you seen today, get the pressure down and get you started on the right medication. Numbing an infected area takes extra care, so we layer the anesthetic and confirm you are comfortable before we begin.
What Else Do Patients Ask About Dental Infections?
Will antibiotics alone fix the infection?
Antibiotics control the spread, but the source tooth still needs treatment or the infection tends to return.
When should I go to the emergency room instead?
Go immediately if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, a swelling eye or a high fever with rapidly spreading swelling.
How do I know if my toothache is an abscess?
Signs include a pimple-like bump on the gum, foul taste or drainage, constant throbbing pain, and pain that worsens when you lie down.
Can a dental infection spread to other parts of my body?
Yes. An untreated dental infection can spread into the jaw, neck and airway. That is why facial swelling should be treated as urgent.
What if the abscess drains on its own?
Drainage may relieve pressure temporarily, but the infection remains until the source tooth is treated. Call us so we can address it properly.
What Other Care Might I Need?
Related treatments are handled by the same team in the same office, so you never have to start over somewhere else.