Emergency Dental of Garland treats dental abscesses and tooth infections with the urgency they demand. If you have a swollen face, a persistent throbbing toothache, or a foul taste in your mouth, call 254-784-8688 immediately. We drain and treat abscesses the same day.
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can form at the tip of the tooth root (periapical abscess) or in the gums alongside the tooth (periodontal abscess). Both types are painful. Both are serious. Neither will go away without treatment.
Warning Signs of a Dental Abscess That Require Emergency Care
Call us right away if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Severe, constant, throbbing toothache that radiates to your jaw, ear, or neck
- Facial swelling on one side, especially near the jaw or under the eye
- A tender, swollen bump on the gum near the affected tooth
- A sudden rush of foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth (the abscess draining)
- Fever, especially combined with facial swelling
- Difficulty opening your mouth, swallowing, or breathing
- General feeling of being unwell
How We Treat Dental Abscesses at Emergency Dental of Garland
Our approach follows a clear, proven process:
- Assessment: We examine the area, take X-rays, and determine the extent of the infection.
- Drainage: We make a small incision to drain the pus from the abscess. This provides immediate pain relief in most cases.
- Antibiotics: We prescribe antibiotics to fight the remaining infection and prevent it from spreading.
- Definitive treatment: Once the acute infection is controlled, we address the root cause. This usually means an emergency root canal to remove the infected nerve tissue, or an extraction if the tooth cannot be saved.
Dangers of Ignoring a Tooth Infection
A tooth infection is not something you can ride out or manage with home remedies. Here is what happens when an abscess goes untreated:
- The infection destroys the bone surrounding the tooth
- It can spread to neighbouring teeth
- A jaw infection (osteomyelitis) can develop
- Swelling can spread to your throat and compromise your airway (Ludwig"s angina)
- The bacteria can enter your bloodstream, leading to sepsis
We are not listing these to scare you. We are listing them because we see patients every week who waited too long and turned a treatable abscess into a hospital-level emergency. The earlier you come in, the simpler and less costly the treatment.
If you suspect a dental abscess, contact our emergency dentist in Garland, TX at 254-784-8688. We also handle related emergencies like severe toothaches and infections that require root canal treatment.
Emergency Dental of Garland is located at 208 S 11th St, Garland, TX 75040. We serve patients from across the Garland area and surrounding communities.
For a full overview of our 24/7 urgent care, visit our main emergency dentist in Garland, TX page.