How do you reduce swelling in the face from an abscessed tooth?

Reduce pain and swelling in your face and jaw by putting ice or a cold pack on the outside of your cheek. Do this for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

Can a tooth abscess spread to the cheek?

If a tooth infection is left untreated, it can spread to your face and/or neck. Severe infections can move to even more distant parts of your body.

Does tooth abscess swelling go away?

Dental abscesses are often painful, but not always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It’s important to get help as soon as possible, as abscesses do not go away on their own. They can sometimes spread to other parts of the body and make you ill.

Will antibiotics heal an abscessed tooth?

If the infection is limited to the abscessed area, you may not need antibiotics. But if the infection has spread to nearby teeth, your jaw or other areas, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading further. He or she may also recommend antibiotics if you have a weakened immune system.

How do you treat a cheek abscess?

Treatment

1. Open up (incise) and drain the abscess. The dentist will make a small cut into the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out, and then wash the area with salt water (saline).
2. Perform a root canal. This can help eliminate the infection and save your tooth.
3. Pull the affected tooth.
4. Prescribe antibiotics.

Is a tooth abscess an emergency?

Tooth abscess is absolutely a dental emergency. If you have a tooth abscess, you need to seek treatment immediately. Left untreated, abscess can lead to infection that spreads through the body causing serious and even life-threatening effects. The sooner these issues are treated the better!

What happens if an abscess bursts in your mouth?

If the abscess ruptures, the pain may decrease significantly — but you still need dental treatment. If the abscess doesn’t drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck. You might even develop sepsis — a life-threatening infection that spreads throughout your body.

How long does it take for a tooth abscess to go away with antibiotics?

You’ll likely take antibiotics for 7 to 10 days to get rid of your tooth infection. Dentists usually have a few different options of antibiotics that they prescribe, which we’ll cover below.