MedicineNet

Abscessed Tooth Center - Fort Pierce, FL

WebMD Physician Directory

Fort Pierce, Florida

Upcoming Local Events

2012-05-20
LLS Conquistadores Triathlon
Vero Beach, Florida
2012-05-28
Run for the Pineapple 5k
Sewall's Point, Florida
2012-06-08
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Melbourne
Throughout Melbourne, Florida
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Port Saint Lucie
Throughout Port Saint Lucie, Florida
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Palm Bay
Throughout Palm Bay, Florida
2012-09-08
Shriners 5k Run-Walk
Stuart, Florida
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Port Saint Lucie ...
Throughout Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Abscessed Tooth

What are the symptoms of an abscessed tooth?

A toothache that is severe and continuous and results in gnawing or throbbing pain or sharp or shooting pain are common symptoms of an abscessed tooth. Other symptoms may include:

What does an abscessed tooth look like?
  • Fever
  • Pain when chewing
  • Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold
  • Bitter taste in the mouth
  • Foul smell to the breath
  • Swollen neck glands
  • General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
  • Redness and swelling of the gums
  • Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw
  • An open, draining sore on the side of the gum

If the root of the tooth dies as a result of infection, the toothache may stop. However, this doesn't mean the infection has healed; the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue. Therefore, if you experience any of the above listed symptoms, it is important to see a dentist even if the pain subsides.

How is an abscessed tooth diagnosed?

Your dentist will probe your teeth with a dental instrument. If you have an abscessed tooth, you will feel pain when the tooth is tapped by your dentist's probe. Your dentist will also ask you if your pain increases when you bite down or when you close your mouth tightly. In addition, your dentist may suspect an abscessed tooth because your gums may be swollen and red.

Your dentist may also take X-rays to look for erosion of the bone around the abscess.

How is an abscessed tooth treated?

Strategies to eliminate the infection, preserve the tooth, and prevent complications are the goals of treatment for an abscessed tooth.

To eliminate infec...

Recommended Reading Related to Abscessed Tooth

Problems With Dental Fillings »

Introduction

Tooth sensitivity following placement of a filling is fairly common. A tooth may be sensitive to pressure, air, sweet foods, or temperature. Usually, the sensitivity resolves on its own within a few weeks. During this time, avoid those things that are causing the sensitivity. Pain relievers are generally not required.

Contact your dentist if the sensitivity does not subside within 2 to 4 weeks or if your tooth is extremely sensitive. He or she may recommend you use a desensitizing toothpaste, may apply a desensitizing agent to the tooth, or possibly suggest a root canal procedure.

Pain Around Fillings

There are several explanations for pain around fillings, each resulting from a different cause.

  1. Pain when you bite. With this type of pain, the pain occurs when you bite down. The pain is noticed soon after the anesthesia wears off and continues over time. In this case, the...

Emergency Contact for Fort Pierce

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Fort Pierce Hospitals *

Lawnwood Pavilion
1860 N Lawnwood Cir
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
(772)466-1500

Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute
1700 S 23rd St
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
(772)461-4000

New Horizon's of the Treasure Coast
4500 W Midway Rd
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
(772)468-5600

Port St Lucie Hospital
2550 SE Walton Rd
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952
(772)335-0400

St Lucie Medical Center
1800 SE Tiffany Ave
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952
(772)335-4000

Indian River Medical Center
1000 36th St
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772)567-4311

HEALTHSOUTH Treasure Coast Rehabilitation Hospital
1600 37th St
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772)778-2100

Martin Memorial Medical Center
200 SE Hospital Ave
Stuart, FL 34994
(772)287-5200

Martin Memorial Hospital South
2100 SE Salerno Rd
Stuart, FL 34997
(772)223-2300

Sebastian River Medical Center
13695 US Hwy 1
Sebastian, FL 32958
(772)589-3186

Raulerson Hospital
1796 Hwy 441 N
Okeechobee, FL 34972
(863)763-2151

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.