Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Dental Abscess Treatment in Silver Hill
Throbbing pain, a gum boil or swelling can signal a dental abscess. Silver Hill patients can learn when to call, what to avoid and how infections are treated.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Silver Hill patients are cared for at our Port Dover office
Every dental service for Silver HillInfection needs prompt attention
An abscess will not clear up by itself, even if the pain fades.
A dental abscess is a pocket of infection, usually at the tip of a tooth root or in the gum beside a tooth. It often causes deep, throbbing pain, tenderness when biting, a bad taste or a small bump on the gum that may drain. Sometimes the pain eases when pressure is released, but the infection remains and can spread.
If you are in Silver Hill and think you may have an abscess, phone our Port Dover office promptly and describe your symptoms. The team can discuss how urgently you should be seen. Severe or spreading swelling, fever or difficulty swallowing need emergency medical care first.
Warning signs
Knowing the signs helps you decide how fast to act.
Common symptoms of an abscess
Persistent, throbbing toothache, pain that radiates to the ear or jaw, sensitivity to hot or pressure, a swollen or tender gum, a pimple-like bump that leaks fluid and a foul taste are typical. The tooth may feel slightly raised when you bite. Some abscesses develop quietly beneath an old filling or a tooth that was previously injured.
Signs that the infection may be spreading
Facial swelling, fever, feeling generally unwell, swollen glands under the jaw, or difficulty opening your mouth suggest the infection may be spreading. Any swelling that moves toward the eye or neck, or affects breathing or swallowing, is an emergency. In those situations, seek emergency medical care immediately rather than waiting for a dental opening.
Before your visit
Some simple steps can help while you wait to be seen.
Comfort measures that are safe to try
Rinse gently with warm salt water to help keep the area clean. Over-the-counter pain relief may help if it is safe for you, following the label and any advice from your pharmacist or physician. A cool compress on the outside of the cheek can ease discomfort. Keep your head slightly raised when resting.
Things to avoid
Do not try to pop or squeeze a gum boil, and avoid placing aspirin or other tablets directly on the gum, which can burn the tissue. Do not apply heat to facial swelling. Avoid relying on leftover antibiotics; they may not be appropriate, and any prescription should come after a proper assessment.
Treating the infection
Treatment aims to remove the source of infection, not just ease pain.
Draining and removing the source
The dentist examines the tooth and surrounding tissue and usually takes an X-ray to locate the infection. Depending on the situation, the abscess may be drained to relieve pressure. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed, particularly if infection has spread or you are unwell, but on their own they do not remove the cause.
Saving or removing the tooth
Where the tooth can be saved, root canal treatment cleans infection from inside the tooth, which is then sealed and often crowned. If the tooth is too damaged, extraction may be recommended. Gum abscesses may need deep cleaning of the affected area. The dentist will explain why one approach is suggested over another.
Recovery
Follow-up care helps make sure the infection has fully cleared.
What to expect as healing begins
Tenderness often eases over several days after treatment as inflammation settles. Follow every instruction you are given, including finishing any prescribed medication exactly as directed. Eat soft foods and chew on the other side until the tooth feels comfortable. Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and rinsing.
When to call back
Contact the office if swelling increases, pain worsens after initially improving, fever develops or you have any concern about how you are healing. If a temporary filling was placed, return as scheduled for the final restoration. Leaving a treated tooth unrestored can allow bacteria back in.
Planning your appointment
Getting help from Silver Hill
Call our Port Dover office as soon as you notice abscess symptoms. Describe the pain, any swelling and whether you have a fever so the team can advise on timing and next steps.
Bring a list of medications and allergies. If swelling is severe or you feel very unwell, go to emergency care first.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Abscess questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Can antibiotics cure a dental abscess?
Antibiotics can help control spreading infection, but they do not remove its source inside the tooth or gum. Dental treatment such as drainage, root canal therapy or extraction is usually needed to resolve the problem.
The pain stopped. Do I still need treatment?
Yes. Pain can fade if the nerve dies or the abscess drains, but the infection can remain and flare again or spread. Have the tooth assessed even if you feel better.
Is a dental abscess dangerous?
It can be. Most abscesses are treated successfully, but infection can spread to surrounding tissues. Rapid swelling, fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing need emergency medical care right away. Do not wait for a dental opening in that case.
Will I lose the tooth?
Not necessarily. Many teeth with abscesses can be saved with root canal treatment. If the tooth is badly broken or the surrounding bone is severely affected, extraction may be the safer option.
Can I go to the hospital for a tooth infection?
Yes, if you have severe swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or feel very unwell. Emergency care can manage serious infection, though you will usually still need dental treatment afterward.
Related care for infected teeth
Dental Emergencies →Root Canal Treatment →
A root canal removes infected pulp so the tooth can be kept. Silver Hill patients can learn the warning signs, the visit and how to protect the tooth.
Facial Swelling and Dental Infection Care →
A swollen cheek or jaw can mean an infection is spreading. Silver Hill patients can learn which signs need the hospital, which need a dentist and what follows.