Abscessed Tooth Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to a tooth abscess. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your dentist if you have any of these:

• Throbbing/lingering pain in a tooth or gum area
• Pain when biting on a tooth
• Spontaneous tooth pain
• Redness, tenderness, or swelling of the gums
• Fever
• Swollen neck glands
• Tooth discoloration
• Bad breath or foul taste in mouth
• Open, draining sore on the gums

If left untreated, complications of tooth abscess include:

• Loss of tooth and surrounding tissues or bone
• Spread of infection to surrounding tissue or bone

Diagnosis

Your dentist will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a detailed exam of your teeth and gums.

Your dentist will test the tooth for pain and sensitivity by:

• Lightly tapping on the tooth
• Stimulating the tooth nerve with heat or cold
• Stimulating the tooth nerve with a low electrical current
• Sliding a probe between the tooth and gum to measure gaps or tissue loss

Your dentist will also take an x-ray of the tooth and surrounding bone.