Dental Infection

Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is a dental emergency, but you're not on your own. Call us and we'll get your child seen the same day, ease the pain fast, and treat the infection gently and completely.

All Dental Emergencies

What Is a Tooth Abscess, and Who Gets One?

An abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum, and it won't clear on its own. Any child can get one. It usually starts with an untreated cavity, a cracked or injured tooth, or an old filling that has failed, letting bacteria reach the inside of the tooth. It can affect baby teeth and permanent teeth alike, so even a baby tooth abscess needs prompt care.

The signs to watch for include a persistent, throbbing toothache, a pimple-like bump or "gum boil" on the gum, swelling of the face or jaw, a bad taste, fever, or tenderness when chewing. Sometimes the pain suddenly stops. That isn't a sign it's healing; it can mean the nerve has died while the infection quietly continues.

Seen the same day

Call and we'll fit your child in quickly, because an abscess shouldn't wait.

Relief from pain first

Our first job is getting your child comfortable and out of pain.

We treat the cause

Then we clear the infection at its source, gently and completely.

Why a tooth abscess can't wait

An abscess is an active infection, and it won't heal on its own. Given time, it can spread from the tooth into the surrounding gum, jaw, and soft tissue, and in rare cases into the bloodstream, turning a dental problem into a medical one.

Seeing us promptly lets us relieve the pain and stop the infection before it goes further, so please don't try to wait it out, even if the pain eases for a while.

How we treat a tooth abscess

We relieve the infection at its source rather than just masking it. Depending on the tooth, that may mean pulp therapy and a crown to save the tooth, or removing it if it can't be saved, often along with antibiotics to bring the infection under control.

We'll explain every option in plain language and keep your child comfortable throughout, with sedation available any time it helps.

Bring your child in and we'll get the pain under control fast, then fix what's causing it, gently and completely.

What to do

Call us first

Phone (801) 676-3700 so we can see your child promptly and guide you over the phone.

Ease the discomfort

A gentle warm saltwater rinse and an age-appropriate dose of children's pain reliever can take the edge off.

Don't pop the bump

Never drain or squeeze a gum boil yourself. That can push the infection deeper.

Keep the area clean

Have your child keep brushing gently around the sore tooth.

Common questions

Can a tooth abscess go away on its own?

No. An abscess is an active infection that needs treatment. Even if the pain eases for a while, the infection remains and can spread.

Does a baby tooth abscess matter?

Yes. The infection can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath, so it needs prompt care just like an adult tooth.

Will antibiotics alone fix an abscess?

Antibiotics can help control the infection, but the tooth itself still needs treatment to truly resolve the problem. We'll recommend the right combination of care.

Facial Swelling

When swelling means the emergency room, not the office.

Need to be seen?

Call your office first — most dental emergencies are seen the same day.

Schedule an appointment

All Dental Emergencies · Dentistry & Orthodontics