A tooth abscess is not necessarily painful; a severe tooth infection will eventually kill the pulp inside the root of the tooth, at which point the tooth will lose sensation. This does not mean you are okay, now. The infection is still active, and if left untreated will cause further, serious damage. Depending on the type of bacteria involved in the infection and your immune system, an abscess can even cause facial deformities due to the constant accumulation of pus in the tissue.
Mix 1 tsp (5 g) of salt into 1 cup (250ml) of warm (not hot) water, and swish it around in your mouth to rinse, then spit out the water and repeat. Remember that a saltwater rinse can NOT cure a tooth abscess, even if it makes it feel better. You still must be seen by a dentist because the symptoms may be aggravated severely by an anaerobic infection, which expands quickly.
Take medications only as directed, even if doing so does not completely alleviate your tooth pain. Note that these medications are also fever-reducers, and may mask a fever that the infection is causing. When using these medications, keep an eye out for any other symptoms that might indicate that the infection is worsening.
Keep in mind that in some cases, anesthesia is not needed because patients may not feel any pain at all. Sometimes some of the pus has already come out through a small hole in the gum called a dental fistula.
Be sure to care for your tooth socket properly after an abscess. Your dentist will give you detailed after-care instructions, and it important you follow them all. These include: using gauze to control the blood loss in the first day, letting a blood clot form in the tooth socket, and keeping your mouth clean while the socket heals. Call your dentist immediately if you have problems, such as bleeding that won’t stop, or if the pain does not subside after several days, or comes back.
If the abscess is visible, meaning that you can see and touch a bump on your gums next to one of your teeth, then your dentist will not be able to pull the tooth out right away. You will need to take antibiotics for at least two days first to reduce the risk of bacteremia. Don’t hesitate to go to the emergency room right away if you develop signs of major infection. They may not be able to fix your tooth, but the hospital is obligated to treat the infection, even if you don’t have insurance.
