MedicineNet

Abscessed Tooth Center - Kokomo, IN

WebMD Physician Directory

Kokomo, Indiana

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-23
2012-06-24
Sunday Night Run
Indianapolis, Indiana
2012-07-07
Jerome ActiveWater 5k 2012
Greentown, Indiana
2012-07-28
THE COLOR RUN INDIANAPOLIS
Indianapolis, Indiana
2012-08-11
2012-08-25
Wabash River Ride
West Lafayette, Indiana
2012-09-15
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Muncie
Throughout Muncie, Illinois

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 Kokomo

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Kokomo Hospitals *

St Joseph Hospital Kokomo
1907 W Sycamore St
Kokomo, IN 46901
(765)456-5433

Howard Regional Health System West Campus
829 N Dixon Rd
Kokomo, IN 46901
(765)452-6700

Howard Regional Health System Main Campus
3500 S Lafountain St
Kokomo, IN 46902
(765)453-0702

Tipton Hospital
1000 S Main St
Tipton, IN 46072
(765)675-8500

Dukes Memorial Hospital
275 W 12th St
Peru, IN 46970
(765)472-8000

St Vincent Mercy Hospital
1331 South A St
Elwood, IN 46036
(765)552-4600

Logansport Memorial Hospital
1101 Michigan Ave
Logansport, IN 46947
(574)753-7541

Logansport State Hospital
1098 S State Road 25
Logansport, IN 46947
(574)722-4141

Marion General Hospital
441 N Wabash Ave
Marion, IN 46952
(765)662-1441

St Vincent Frankfort Hospital
1300 S Jackson St
Frankfort, IN 46041
(765)656-3000

VA Northern Indiana Health Care System Marion Campus
1700 E 38th St
Marion, IN 46953
(765)674-3321

Wabash County Hospital
710 N East St
Wabash, IN 46992
(260)563-3131

Riverview Hospital
395 Westfield Rd
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317)773-0760

Community Hospital Anderson
1515 N Madison Ave
Anderson, IN 46011
(765)298-4242

Witham Memorial Hospital
2605 N Lebanon St
Lebanon, IN 46052
(765)485-8000

St Vincent Carmel Hospital
13500 N Meridian St
Carmel, IN 46032
(317)582-7000

*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.