How to reduce tooth infection
A tooth infection is reduced by treating its source, such as infected pulp, a gum pocket, or an abscess, with dental care.
The short answer
A tooth infection is reduced by treating its source, usually by draining infected material and repairing, disinfecting, or removing the affected tooth.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
An infection may involve the pulp inside a tooth, the tissues around its root, or the gum and supporting bone. Rinses and pain medicines may ease symptoms, but they do not remove infected pulp, a pocket of pus, or a trapped food source.
What can you do next?
Do not squeeze a swelling or place aspirin, alcohol, or concentrated chemicals on the gum. Brush gently, clean between teeth if it does not worsen pain, drink fluids, and use only medicines suitable for you according to their label or a clinician’s instructions.
When should you seek dental care?
A dentist examines the tooth and gums, tests the pulp, taps or bites the tooth, and may take dental radiographs. Treatment can include a filling, root canal treatment, incision and drainage, periodontal cleaning, or extraction, depending on the source and whether the tooth can be restored.
What should you ask the dentist?
Arrange urgent dental assessment for facial swelling, fever, worsening pain, pus, difficulty opening the mouth, or a bad taste with swelling. Go to emergency medical care if swelling affects breathing or swallowing, or spreads toward the eye or neck.
Frequently asked questions
Can antibiotics cure the tooth?
Antibiotics can be used when infection is spreading or systemic symptoms are present, but they do not replace dental treatment that removes the source.
Can salt water remove an abscess?
A warm salt-water rinse may soothe irritated tissue, but it cannot drain or eliminate an abscess inside a tooth or deep gum tissue.