What Happens if You Ignore a Dental Abscess?

A toothache may seem like a minor inconvenience until it becomes a throbbing, relentless pain that keeps you awake at night. If you’ve been brushing off the discomfort, assuming it will go away on its own, it’s time to stop and pay attention. You might be dealing with a dental abscess, a serious infection that won’t resolve without professional care. Ignoring it can lead to dangerous consequences for your health, not just your smile. That’s why routine Dental Exams and Digital X-Rays are essential; they help detect hidden infections early before they escalate into severe problems like abscesses.

In this blog, we’ll explore what happens if you ignore a tooth abscess, the signs to look out for, and why timely dental abscess treatment is essential to protect your oral and overall health.

What Is a Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in or around the tooth. It can develop in different areas:

• Periapical abscess: at the tip of the tooth root
• Periodontal abscess: in the gums near the tooth
• Gingival abscess: only in the gum tissue

The infection typically starts when bacteria invade the tooth through a cavity, chip, or crack. Without treatment, the infection can spread rapidly and create serious complications. In some cases, untreated dental issues like these may also lead to gum inflammation or worsening periodontal problems. For more information on identifying early warning signs and protecting your oral health, visit our blog Signs of Gum Disease: When to Seek Treatment for Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

Signs of a Dental Abscess

Recognizing the signs of a dental abscess early can save you from escalating pain and health issues. Here are the most common symptoms:

• Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Swollen face or cheek
• Swollen, red gums or a visible bump (pus-filled sac)
• Fever or chills
• Pain while chewing or biting
• Bad breath or a constant bad taste in your mouth

Sometimes the pain may temporarily lessen if the abscess ruptures, but that doesn’t mean the infection is gone. It can continue to spread and get worse. Ongoing stress can weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infections like a dental abscess. To understand the connection between emotional strain and dental problems, visit our page How Stress Affects Your Oral Health and What You Can Do About It, where we explain how stress can contribute to oral health issues and ways to manage them effectively.

What Happens If You Ignore a Tooth Abscess?

Ignoring a tooth abscess can have serious, sometimes life-threatening consequences. Let’s break down what can happen when this infection is left untreated.

1. The Pain Will Get Worse

At first, the discomfort may feel like a dull ache. But within a short time, it can escalate into severe, radiating pain in the jaw, ear, or neck. Sleep becomes difficult, eating is painful, and even daily tasks can feel unbearable.

The pressure from the buildup of pus causes inflammation in the surrounding tissues, which leads to sharp, pulsing pain. If you’re experiencing intense discomfort, seek treatment for a tooth infection immediately.

2. The Infection Will Spread

Can a tooth infection spread to the body?
Yes and it’s more common than you might think.

If left untreated, bacteria from a dental abscess can travel from the tooth into the surrounding bone, soft tissues, and eventually into the bloodstream. This can lead to dangerous complications like:

• Sepsis: a potentially fatal infection of the blood
• Osteomyelitis: bone infection, especially in the jaw
• Ludwig’s Angina: swelling in the neck and lower jaw, which can block your airway
• Sinus infection or brain abscess (in rare but extreme cases)

Infections like these require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and sometimes surgery. That’s why dental abscess treatment is never something to delay.

3. You May Lose the Tooth or More

A tooth abscess can destroy the surrounding bone and soft tissue. If the infection continues unchecked, the affected tooth may become loose and eventually require extraction. In some cases, the neighboring teeth are also affected and may need treatment or removal.

Timely tooth infection treatment can often save the tooth. Your dentist may recommend:

• Root canal therapy: removes the infected pulp and seals the tooth
• Tooth extraction: if the damage is too extensive to restore the tooth
• Antibiotics: to control the spread of infection, especially if it has reached other areas

Once the tooth is removed, replacement options like implants or bridges may be needed adding more time and cost to your recovery.

4. It Can Impact Your Breathing or Swallowing

If the abscess forms in the lower jaw or back of the mouth, it can cause swelling in areas near the throat. This can make it difficult to breathe or swallow and may require emergency medical intervention.

While this scenario is rare, it’s a dangerous reminder of what happens if you ignore a tooth abscess. Acting early is always the safest and most effective course of action.

5. It Can Affect Your Overall Health

The mouth is the gateway to your body, and infections in the oral cavity can affect far more than your teeth and gums.

A chronic tooth abscess has been linked to serious health issues, including:

• Heart disease and stroke
• Worsening diabetes symptoms
• Respiratory infections from inhaled bacteria
• Kidney problems

This is why dentists often emphasize that oral health is a vital part of your overall wellness not something separate or secondary.

How to Treat an Abscessed Tooth

Now that you understand the dangers of delaying care, let’s talk about how to treat an abscessed tooth properly. Home remedies like rinsing with saltwater or taking over-the-counter pain relievers might provide temporary relief, but they will not cure the infection.

Here’s what a professional dental abscess treatment typically involves:

1. Draining the Abscess

Your dentist will make a small incision to drain the pus and relieve pressure. This helps reduce pain and prevent further spread.

2. Root Canal Therapy

If the infection is inside the tooth, a root canal will be performed to clean out the infected pulp and save the tooth structure.

3. Tooth Extraction

If the tooth cannot be saved, it will be extracted to eliminate the source of infection.

4. Antibiotics

If the infection has spread beyond the local area or you have a weakened immune system, antibiotics may be prescribed.

Your dentist will determine the right treatment plan based on how far the infection has progressed.

How Long Can a Tooth Abscess Go Untreated?

If you're wondering how long can a tooth abscess go untreated, the answer varies but the risks increase dramatically over time. Some people might go days or weeks before seeking help, but that doesn't mean the infection is dormant.

In fact, the longer you wait:

• The greater the pain and swelling
• The more damage occurs to the tooth and surrounding bone
• The higher the risk of systemic infection

Most abscesses won’t go away without treatment, and in severe cases, delaying care could be fatal. If you have any tooth abscess symptoms, don’t take chances; call your dentist right away.

When to Call for Emergency Dental Care

If you’re experiencing any of the following, seek emergency care:

• Swelling in the face or jaw
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Fever and chills
• Severe, persistent pain
• Pus or a bad taste in the mouth

We offer same-day emergency dental appointments to treat infections quickly and effectively. Our team uses modern, gentle techniques to provide relief and protect your long-term health. If you're unsure about your next steps during an urgent dental issue, be sure to check out What to Do in a Dental Emergency: A Quick Guide for helpful tips and immediate actions you can take before your visit.

Preventing Future Tooth Infections

Prevention is always better than a cure. You can reduce your risk of developing a tooth abscess by:

• Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing daily to remove plaque between teeth
• Scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings
• Treating cavities and cracks early
• Wearing a mouthguard if you grind your teeth

If you’ve had a dental abscess before, your dentist may recommend extra care to monitor vulnerable areas and prevent recurrence.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

Dental abscesses are more than just painful; they are a clear warning that your body is fighting a serious infection. Ignoring the signs can lead to tooth loss, systemic illness, and even life-threatening complications. We emphasize the importance of timely dental care to detect and treat issues like dental abscesses early. Regular visits to our Family Dentistry practice help prevent infections from escalating, ensuring you and your loved ones maintain healthy, pain-free smiles.

If you’re asking, “Can a tooth infection spread to the body?”, the answer is yes, and it often does when left untreated.

Instead of wondering what happens if you ignore a tooth abscess, take action. Seek timely treatment for tooth infections, and protect your smile and overall health.

We’re here to help with expert, compassionate care. Whether you need a dental abscess treatment, root canal, or same-day emergency visit, we’ll get you back to feeling your best fast. Need urgent care? Contact Buford Dental today for expert tooth infection treatment in Buford, GA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I know if I have a dental abscess?

Common tooth abscess symptoms include throbbing pain, swelling, fever, pus discharge, and bad breath. If you’re experiencing any of these, contact your dentist immediately.

Q. Can a tooth abscess go away on its own?

No. While the pain may temporarily subside, the infection continues to spread. Only professional dental abscess treatment can fully eliminate the infection.

Q. Is a root canal painful?

Root canals are often painless and very effective. They’re performed under local anesthesia and are the best way to save a tooth damaged by an abscess.

Q. How long can a tooth abscess go untreated?

Delaying treatment can worsen your symptoms and put your overall health at risk. Abscesses may spread quickly, especially if your immune system is compromised.