Tooth abscesses can be tricky. The symptoms don’t always make it obvious what is wrong, but abscesses can become dangerous if left without treatment so it is important to see an emergency dentist in Edinburgh if you think you may have one. At Polwarth Dental Clinic, we will see you on the same day and do what we can to treat both the abscess and the underlying cause.

What is an abscess?

An abscess is basically an infection. When the root of the tooth becomes infected, pus is formed and if there is nowhere for it to drain, it can become quite painful and cause other symptoms. Because of the infection, it is essential to visit our emergency dentist in Edinburgh, as it won’t get better on its own and, if left, it could spread to other parts of the body.

Abscesses can be caused by tooth decay, deep cavities, gum disease or a cracked tooth. You may not be aware of the issue until the abscess becomes problematic.

How do I know if I have an abscess?

There are a number of symptoms associated with an abscessed tooth, including obvious ones like pain, swelling, and redness of the gum. There are also less obvious symptoms, such as a bad taste in your mouth, fever, swollen lymph nodes, jaw pain and even trouble swallowing or breathing. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, which means the pus has found a way to drain. If you have any of these symptoms, call our emergency dentist in Edinburgh and talk to our experienced staff. They will tell you if you need to see a dentist.

How will an abscess be treated?

The treatment will depend on the cause of the abscess. You may need antibiotics to treat the infection itself, but further treatment will be required to make sure it doesn’t return. Whatever the cause of the abscess, you can rest assured our experienced emergency dentist in Edinburgh will do their best to save the tooth and make sure it doesn’t become infected again.