Severe pain, swelling, or the appearance of redness of the face and mouth could mean you have an abscessed tooth. Fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even chills are often symptoms of a more serious abscessed tooth.
Some abscessed tooth sufferers have a bitter taste in the mouth and experience bad breath or mouth odor. Sometimes those with an abscess have an open sore in the mouth which may be draining.
Other symptoms include swelling of the upper jaw or lower jaw, sensitivity to hot or cold beverages and/or foods, facial or dental pressure and/or a shooting or throbbing pain when trying to chew. Sometimes victims of a dental abscess may experience swollen glands in the neck.
If the tooth's root dies as a result of the infection, the toothache may end, but the infection will continue spreading and damaging tissue if not properly treated. Therefore, if you have experienced any of the symptoms of an abscess, and the pain has subsided, you still need to see a dentist to ensure there is not an abscess and to prevent further damage.
Anyone who suspects they have any type of dental infection or an abscessed tooth, should seek immediate treatment from a dental professional. Without treatment the infection will only get worse and the symptoms will continue to plague you, sometimes even worsening.
Abscessed tooth can result in tooth loss, spread of infection to soft tissue or bone, or sinusitis. The infection can spread to other parts of the body, and result in Endocarditis, pneumonia, cerebral abscess, or other disorders.
In some instances untreated tooth abscess may not only result in death of the tooth, it could result in the death of the victim. Untreated abscess can spread through soft tissue of the face and result in cellulitis, which is severe facial swelling. If the patient waits until the swelling is so severe he or she is experiencing difficulty opening his/her mouth or breathing, it has become dangerous.
