Dental Abscess Treatment in Fort Lauderdale
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can form at the tip of a tooth root (periapical abscess) or in the gum beside a tooth root (periodontal abscess). Both are painful. Both are serious. Neither will go away without treatment.
If you suspect you have an abscess, do not wait to see if it improves. Dental infections spread. What starts as a throbbing tooth can progress to facial swelling, fever, and in severe cases, a threat to your airway. Call (954) 807-1840 for same-day abscess treatment at our Fort Lauderdale clinic.
Signs of a Dental Abscess
- Severe, persistent, throbbing pain in a tooth, the jawbone, or the ear on that side
- Swelling in your face, cheek, or neck
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Pain when biting or chewing
- A foul, salty taste in your mouth (from a ruptured abscess draining pus)
- Fever and a general feeling of being unwell
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
- A visible bump on the gum near the tooth that looks like a pimple
Why You Cannot Wait
A dental abscess is an active infection. Your body cannot clear it without help because the source of the bacteria (a dead nerve, trapped food, deep gum pocket) is still present. Antibiotics may reduce swelling temporarily, but the infection comes back once the course ends if the source is not addressed.
The real danger is spread. The infection can move along tissue planes into the neck (causing Ludwig's angina, a potentially life-threatening swelling that can obstruct breathing), into the bloodstream (sepsis), or, in extremely rare cases, to the brain. These outcomes are preventable with timely treatment.
Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling spreading rapidly to your throat or under your tongue
- High fever (over 101 F) with chills and sweating
- Confusion or rapid heart rate
What Treatment Involves
Drainage: If the abscess has formed a visible pocket of pus, we make a small incision to drain it. This often provides immediate pain relief because it reduces the pressure that was causing the throbbing.
Antibiotics: We prescribe antibiotics to fight the remaining infection. These are not a substitute for drainage or root canal, but they help your body clear bacteria that have spread beyond the tooth.
Treating the source: Depending on the cause, this may involve a root canal (to save the tooth), extraction (if the tooth cannot be saved), or deep cleaning of a gum pocket. This step is essential. Without it, the abscess will return.
Follow-up: We schedule a follow-up appointment to confirm the infection has cleared and to complete any additional treatment like a permanent crown.
Do Not Try to Drain an Abscess at Home
We understand the temptation. The swelling is painful and you can see the bump on your gum. But popping or squeezing an abscess at home risks pushing bacteria deeper into the tissue, causing more spread. You also cannot fully drain it without professional instruments, and the underlying cause remains untreated.
Cost and Insurance
Initial abscess treatment (drainage plus antibiotics) typically costs $100 to $500. If a root canal is needed, add $700 to $1,500. Extraction runs $150 to $400. We accept most dental insurance, credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a dental abscess go away on its own?
No. A dental abscess is a bacterial infection that will not resolve without professional treatment. Antibiotics alone may reduce symptoms temporarily, but the source of infection (dead tissue, trapped bacteria) must be physically removed through drainage, root canal, or extraction.
How dangerous is a dental abscess?
A contained abscess treated promptly is manageable. An untreated abscess can spread to the jaw, neck, and brain. In rare cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream (sepsis), which is life-threatening. This is why we urge patients not to wait.
Should I go to the ER for a dental abscess?
Go to the ER if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, if the swelling is spreading to your throat or under your jaw, or if you have a high fever with chills. Otherwise, an emergency dentist is better equipped to treat the source of the infection.
How much does abscess treatment cost?
Abscess drainage and antibiotics typically cost $100 to $500 depending on severity. If a root canal or extraction is needed to address the underlying cause, those are additional costs. We will provide a full breakdown before treatment.