A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in the tissues surrounding a tooth as a result of a bacterial infection. The most common cause of a tooth abscess is severe tooth decay. Other causes include cracked teeth and extensive periodontal disease.
A tooth abscess is a serious dental condition that won’t go away on its own. Without proper treatment, a tooth abscess can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications. The infection can spread from the tooth to the jawbone and other surrounding tissues. It can also spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
So can a tooth abscess eventually rupture and drain on its own? Here’s what you need to know.
What happens when a tooth abscess is left untreated?
A tooth abscess occurs when bacteria infect the inner layers of a tooth. This infection spreads from the tooth pulp to the root tip and forms a pus-filled sac. The pus builds up, causing swelling and intense pain.
Without treatment, the pressure from the pus buildup will eventually cause the abscess to rupture. This can happen in two ways:
Through the gum:
The abscess may burst through the gum tissue, releasing pus into the mouth. You may notice pus draining from around the tooth when you apply pressure. The pus often has a bad taste and foul odor.
While draining through the gum provides some relief from the pain and swelling, it does not treat the root cause. Bacteria and infection remain in the tissues around the tooth and spread.
Through the skin:
If the abscess is particularly large, it may rupture through the skin of your cheek, jaw or neck. This causes an open wound that leaks pus. The pain and swelling may temporarily decrease after the abscess ruptures.
However, drainage through the skin is even worse than through the gum. It allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream and spread the infection.
Dangers of a burst tooth abscess
Allowing a tooth abscess to rupture on its own is extremely risky. Here are some potential dangers:
- The infection doesn’t go away. Drainage only removes some of the pus and bacteria. The root cause still remains.
- The infection spreads. Once the abscess bursts, the infectious material can spread through surrounding tissues.
- Blood infection (sepsis). Bacteria enter the bloodstream, rapidly multiplying and releasing toxins. This can lead to organ failure and even death.
- Difficulty swallowing. The swelling can obstruct your throat, making it hard to swallow.
- Airway blockage. If the abscess ruptures close to the back of your mouth, swelling can block your airway.
- Bone damage. The infection eats away at the jawbone surrounding the tooth.
- Chronic dental infection. Without removal of the infected tooth, bacteria stick around and form another abscess.
- Facial cellulitis. The skin infection spreads across the face, causing widespread redness, swelling and pain.
As you can see, allowing a tooth abscess to rupture on its own provides only temporary relief while allowing the infection to rapidly worsen. Prompt dental treatment is required.
Professional treatment for a tooth abscess
Here are the steps a dentist will take to safely treat a tooth abscess:
Drainage
The dentist will numb the area and make a small incision to drain the pus. This immediately relieves pain and swelling. The pus will be sent to a lab to identify the exact bacteria causing the infection.
Root canal treatment
After draining the abscess, the dentist performs a root canal. This involves cleaning out the infected tooth pulp and sealing the inner tooth layers. Without treatment of the root cause, another abscess is likely to form.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used before and after the root canal to clear any lingering infection. The antibiotics also prevent the spread of infection through the bloodstream.
Extraction
If the tooth cannot be saved through root canal, extraction is required. This fully removes the source of infection. The extraction site will be cleaned and stitched closed.
Follow-up care
You may need additional antibiotic treatment to ensure the infection is eliminated. Follow-up exams will check for complete healing. You’ll also need a dental restoration, such as a crown or implant, to replace the extracted tooth.
Can I speed up a tooth abscess rupture?
You might be tempted to try to encourage an abscess to burst by poking it with a needle or pressing on it. However, this is risky and can have serious consequences, including spreading the infection to surrounding tissues.
Leave the abscess alone and see a dentist right away. They will properly drain the infection from the tooth and provide you with antibiotics and other treatment. This will resolve the problem quickly and safely.
Home remedies are ineffective
Some people attempt do-it-yourself home remedies to treat a tooth abscess, such as:
- Saltwater rinse – This may provide temporary relief but does not treat the cause.
- Clove oil – Clove oil has antibacterial properties but cannot adequately penetrate the tooth.
- Peppercorn – Chewing on a peppercorn increases blood flow but does not drain the pus or fight the infection.
While home remedies may temporarily reduce discomfort, they do not provide actual treatment. The infection continues to destroy tissue around the tooth and spread if left untreated.
See a dentist urgently for abscess treatment
The only way to properly treat a tooth abscess is through professional dental care. See a dentist right away if you notice symptoms such as:
- Severe, throbbing toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold in the affected tooth
- Fever and chills
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
- A blister or pimple-like bump on your gums near the painful tooth
- Bad taste or foul odor in your mouth
- Facial swelling around the tooth
Prompt antibiotics and dental treatment will stop the infection, relieve your pain, and prevent serious complications. Left untreated, the condition will certainly deteriorate.
The takeaway
While a tooth abscess may eventually rupture and drain on its own, this provides only temporary relief. Allowing an abscess to burst can lead to many complications and spread the infection. It’s important to see a dentist right away for professional treatment. They will properly drain the abscess, perform a root canal or tooth extraction, provide antibiotics, and give tips for recovery care. This will resolve the tooth infection before it turns into a much more serious problem. Don’t wait for it to burst – get to the dentist immediately!
| Treatment | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Professional drainage | Relieves pressure and swelling, allows for identification of bacteria |
| Root canal treatment | Removes infected pulp and seals tooth layers |
| Tooth extraction | Fully removes source of infection if tooth cannot be saved |
| Antibiotics | Clears remaining infection and prevents spreading |
| Follow-up care | Ensures complete healing and restoration of tooth site |
| Abscess Rupture Complications |
|---|
| Persistent infection at tooth site |
| Spread of infection to surrounding tissues |
| Blood infection (sepsis) |
| Inability to swallow (blockage of throat) |
| Airway obstruction |
| Jaw bone damage |
| Chronic dental infection |
| Facial cellulitis |